BeerFest is set to welcome up to 12,000 revellers to Launceston’s Royal Park this New Year’s Eve, with organisers expecting to reach capacity for the eighth consecutive year.
Festival organiser James Harding said the event offers something for everyone, from craft beers and ciders to cocktails, food stalls, live music and comedy.
“It’s a great opportunity to see some of Tassie’s excellent produce,” he said.
“We’ve got some really good craft breweries, cideries, wine stalls here and we do have some really good entertainment.”
The festivities run from 4pm to past midnight, featuring live comedy headlined by Mike Goldstein, masterclasses on beer, wine and cocktails, and children’s activities.
Two fireworks displays will light up the night at 9:30pm and midnight, following performances by The Presets.
The event has secured $250,000 in state government funding to expand to a two-day format from next year.
“We haven’t received a lot of funding in the past, so to be able to grow the event for two days with the funding that we’ve received is really good,” Harding said.
Economic studies by the Department of State Growth show the festival has delivered a $40 million injection into the local economy since launching in 2011.
The expansion will help address capacity issues, with 8,000 tickets already sold this year and climbing steadily toward the 12,000 limit.
“We are at max capacity every year, so to be able to add a multiple day means that we can get more people to come to the event,” Harding said.
The festival will feature 45 stallholders, with half the audience travelling from interstate.
Harding said stallholders report doing similar business in one day at BeerFest as they do at multi-day events in other locations.
Launceston Mayor Matthew Garwood said the event showcases the city’s UNESCO City of Gastronomy status.
“This is something that was curated, born in Launceston, taken to the national platform, and it continues to grow,” he said.
Bass MP Rob Fairs praised the festival’s growth trajectory.
“We get 12,000 people, which to put it into perspective is about the same you get for a Hawthorn match at UTAS Stadium,” he said.
“It’s a no-brainer for the state government to commit to the extra funding to make sure that this event grows.”
BeerFest takes place at Royal Park on December 31, with tickets available at the festival website.
