Launceston’s Festivale has sold out again, with organisers expecting about 30,000 people to descend on City Park this weekend.
The three-day food, wine and music festival kicks off on Friday afternoon and runs through to Sunday, showcasing more than 70 Tasmanian food and beverage producers.
Tourism Minister Jane Howlett said 40% of ticket sales went to interstate visitors.
“Events like this bring so much to regional areas,” she said.
“What it will do to the Launceston economy will be phenomenal.”
Grinspoon will headline Friday night, with Jessica Mauboy and Boy and Bear among the other drawcards across the weekend.
Festivale committee member David Dunn said the event was expanding its footprint this year with a new art exhibition in the Albert Hall and an accessibility viewing platform.
“We’re really keen to make sure that Festivale is an event that everyone can come along and attend and enjoy,” he said.
The sold-out status means some punters are still scrambling for tickets, with more than 100 people registered on the authorised reseller.
Dunn urged would-be attendees to use only official channels.
“If you’ve got tickets, please don’t let them go to waste if you’re not going to use them,” he said.
Behind the scenes, crews have been working around the clock to transform City Park.
About 70 workers are currently on site, with numbers expected to hit 100 by Friday.
They’re installing 3,500 chairs, hundreds of tables and laying protective flooring across the grounds.
Demand for stall sites far exceeded capacity, with 130 applications vying for just 70 spots.
Matt Neil, general manager of production company VJAM, said his team had just come off the back of the Foo Fighters concert at UTAS Stadium last weekend.
“We’re a little tired today but the guys have all bounced back,” he said.
The weather forecast is looking favourable, with temperatures in the mid-to-high 20s expected for Friday and Saturday.
Gates open at 4pm on Friday and close at 4pm on Sunday, with family activities planned for the final day.
