Council backs the Rangebow festival with three year grant
By Sonia Isaacs
AMID the cancellation of large-scale music and cultural festivals across the country, Sunshine Coast Council (SCC) has doubled down its support towards the Rangebow Festival.
Council has committed to a three year funding program through its Major Events Sponsorship, Emerging Events category.
Division 5 councillor Winston Johnston OAM, said council had amplified support for the festival due to several reasons.
He listed community roots, cultural diversity and inclusivity, and potential for future growth and tourism opportunities as key factors.
“The Rangebow Festival stands out as a homegrown, community-based event with a highly diverse presentation. In contrast, many other festivals are material-specific and very costly.” Cr. Johnston explained.
“There has been a general decline in festival ticket sales across the board. Additionally, with the economic downturn, people are more selective about what events they attend.
“Rangebow attracts a different audience, and I am confident in its growth potential.”
CEO of Visit Sunshine Coast, Matt Stoeckel, said the Rangebow Festival made a substantial contribution to local tourism, especially during off-peak periods.
He emphasised the value of the festival’s vibrant blend of arts, entertainment, music, food, and fun; with a strong focus on diversity, inclusion, sustainability, and reconciliation.
“Major events bring visitors to the Sunshine Coast during our cooler months and outside peak periods, which is crucial,” Mr Stoeckel stated.
He also noted the festival’s ongoing growth and its positive impact on the region’s hinterland towns.
“Rangebow Festival continues to expand each year and does an excellent job of showcasing our wonderful hinterland towns,” he said.
Festival Director, Wayne Parcell, said the question everyone asked was why Rangebow continued to evolve from strength to strength when so many others were cancelled or post-postponed. He said some of the answer lay in the fact Rangebow was both purpose and values driven.
“To get to our third festival this year we needed to listen and learn what was important to our community,” Mr Parcell said.
“Council and others who support the festival recognise that this festival offers a diverse range of arts and culture.
“I believe Council recognised that our festival values and our offering speaks to the foundation of prosperity for everyone; for all abilities, all interests, all perspectives and every community.”