Floatfest 2017 media release
October 2016
FLOATFEST 2017 EYES GROWTH WITH MOVE TO ‘BRIDGE
Organizers of the iconic Murray River Floatfest event are eyeing targets for growth in 2017, with thousands expected to attend the family friendly festival on April 8-9.
The Kookaburra Homes Floatfest17 has moved down stream to the Murray River’s largest rural city, Murray Bridge, with the new venue already attracting a raft of exciting features and supporters.
The event is focused on promoting safe on-water recreation and boosting visitation to the Murray River, Lakes and Coorong region. In 2016 more than 5000 people from across Australia attended the two-day riverside festival, however the Murraylands Regional Tourism Association (MRTA) believe it has the capacity to grow again in 2017.
After establishing a new head office in Murray Bridge, Kookaburra Homes has signed on as the naming rights sponsor for the event over the next two years, securing a future for Floatfest beyond next year.
The 2017 event’s formal launch will be held next week, where major announcements of the exciting new festival features will be revealed.
Event coordinator and MRTA Chair Jen Whitehorn are excited about what Float fest’s future holds.
“We welcome stand-up paddle boarding to the event this year, as we continue our move to ‘Paddle into the Record Books’, targeting not one, but three world records attempts.”
In previous years, the event has worked to increase on-water participation by asking the general public to be part of history in this sense. This year the Kookaburra Homes Floatfest17 event goes one step further, attempting to break the world record for:
1. The largest number of kayaks and canoes on the river at any one time
2. The largest number of canoes/kayaks lined end-to-end along the banks of the river
3. The largest number of kayaks/canoes entering the water at once
Other attractions already secured for the two-day event include tours along the river in the historic Captain Proud paddlesteamer, Dragon Boat demonstrations, kayak workshops, river safety workshops, Canoe Polo demonstrations, professional canoe races, houseboat tours, carnival style activities for children, a cultural feast, farmers’ markets, live music, caravan and camping exhibitions, and more.
“Some of the most exciting announcements are yet to come,” Ms Whitehorn says.
“We are currently in negotiations with some major organizations which are set to grow the event exponentially.”
With six months to go before the April 2017 festival, there is still time for potential sponsors and exhibitors to secure their spot. Interested parties are encouraged to contact the MRTA for more information on 0448533147
If you’d like to participate as paddler head to www.floatfest.com.au, and find them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!
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