Organisers behind Festivale have revealed the financial impact and benefits such an event has on the Northern Tasmania economy.
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Festivale committee treasurer Michael Hine said the event itself has a budget of about $1.4 million and the event operates as close to breakeven as it possibly can.
"That depends on weather - that's our direct expenditure and our economic analysis reveals there's about $12 million of activity over the three days," he said.
Festivale chairman David Dunn said data analysis conducted by organisers has revealed the event costs about $50,000 per hour to run over the weekend.
"We're open for a total of 25 hours so that gives you an indication of how much it costs to put on the event," he said.
"The event wouldn't be viable without sponsorship or support from the state government and the City of Launceston Council and obviously the stallholders and the people who come."
Mr Dunn said while City Park is a wonderful place to host Festivale, the necessary infrastructure for the festival requires expensive renovations of the space.
"When people say 'why do we need to pay to get into the park? Why are the ticket prices what they are?' ... it's the infrastructure that you've got to bring in and making sure you have the calibre of talent that people want," he said.
"You've to provide seating and plenty of shade for people and plenty of toilets, you can't believe how expensive toilets can be.
"We start from scratch every year... you bring everything in and three days later you pack it all up."
Mr Dunn said the annual yield from Festivale is in the multiple millions of dollars for the local economy, including accommodation, fuel and other services used by visitors and locals alike over the weekend.
Festivale also announced the winners of its wine and cider awards on Thursday night.
The winners are as listed below:
- Best sparkling - 2016 Gala Estate Sparkling Vintage Rose.
- Best Riesling - 2018 Goaty Hills Riesling.
- Best Chardonnay - 2017 Velo Chardonnay.
- Best other white - 2019 Ghost Rock Pinot Gris.
- Best Rose - 2019 Springvale Rose.
- Best Pinot - 2018 Springvale Estate Pinot Noir.
- Best other red - 2018 Sharmans Shiraz.
- Best cider - 2019 Willie Smiths traditional.
- Best non-traditional - Pagan Apricot and Apple.
- Best Perry - Speyton Pear.