Man standing beside track with ride on lawn mower racing

Council

Lawn mower racing and fringe festival: Council sponsors new events

Published: 22 Jul 2022 10:40am

Council is continuing to support the city’s economic and cultural recovery from COVID-19 by sponsoring two events making their debut in Wagga Wagga later this year.

At the Ordinary Meeting of Council this week, a total of $20,000 funding support was endorsed through the first round of the 2022/23 Major Events, Festivals and Films Sponsorship program.

Event Sponsorship

Events Officer Sally Manning said the program is designed to support organisers to deliver major events in the city to ensure a vibrant events calendar for our community and visitors.

“The program recognises the importance of events and festivals in driving visitation and generating economic benefits for Wagga Wagga, as well as showcasing our public spaces and enlivening our city,” Ms Manning said.

“The two successful recipients in the first round align well to the aims of this funding program by offering new and innovative offerings for the city which draw people from outside the Local Government Area.”

Ride on lawn mower racing
Ride On! Lawn mower racing at Ettamogah. Image Courtesy of Andrew McPherson.

‘Motor Mania’ is being presented by the Apex Club of South Wagga Wagga in September this year at the Wagga & District Kart Racing Club in Tasman Road, East Wagga.

It will feature a lawn mower racing meet, which is expected to attract both local and interstate participants. It will be a family fun day, supported by a program of live music, local food vendors, lawn mower building and children’s amusements.

The second successful funding recipient is the Bush Fringes ‘Wagga Wagga Fringe Festival’, to be held in November 2022.

The festival program plans to include theatre, music, cabaret, children’s shows, comedy, dance, performance art and spoken word events held at multiple venues across the city, over four days.

Ms Manning said there are more opportunities for event organisers to apply for Major Events, Festivals and Films Sponsorship, with round two funding now open for applications.

“There are three categories of funding available; incubator events, development events and flagship events, catering for the different lifecycle stages an event progresses through,” Ms Manning said.

Man and teenager looking at ride on lawn mowers
Cool Machines: Patrons check out the lawn mowers racing at Ettamogah recently. Image courtesy of Andrew McPherson.

“Funding amounts of between $3000 and $20,000 are available for events being held between now and 30 June 2023.

“Applications for round two of funding close on Sunday 7 August.

“If you are interested in making a submission, please contact Council’s Events team, and we can assist you with the application process.”

Email the team at events@wagga.nsw.gov.au or contact Council on 1300 292 442.

For more information on the program, visit wagga.nsw.gov.au/eventsponsorship


Major Events, Festivals and Films Sponsorship Funding categories

Incubator Events
New innovative events that are in their first or second year can apply for funding from $3000 – $10,000.

Developing Events
Events that have been running successfully for more than two consecutive years can apply for up to $20,000.

Flagship Events
Events that have already received the maximum amount of funding through the Major Events, Festivals and Films Sponsorship program in previous years can apply for funding from $10,000 – $20,000.