Kiama events have been awarded just shy of $400,000 from the State Government’s Regional Event Acceleration Fund, to support the social and economic recovery of the regions:

• $180,759 for Kiama Council to implement a finale for its IGNITE - Kiama Winter Festival
• $150,000 to Crooked River Wines for its Winter Wine Festival in June
• $60,406 for the 50th year of the Kiama Sevens on Saturday 26 Feb.

Destination Kiama’s Acting Manager Sally Bursell is delighted with the funding, as the event will afford an exceptional finale to the REVEL in May series of events.

Following the format developed last year, that unfortunately had to be called off due to a last minute deluge, the IGNITE Kiama Winter Festival will be anchored in three key pillars: food, the arts and culture.

“Part of the funding is going to allow us to set up a really big ice skating rink that can take up to 100 people for nine days down at Black Beach.

“It is going to be beautiful, with festoon lighting so people can skate at night, with the Harbour as a backdrop.”

Fireworks are finally returning to the Harbour Photo: Brian Scott

Then on Saturday 5 June, the funding is going to be used to create a truly memorable event.

“We have some really great entertainment for the Saturday night before the fireworks, including a high energy band that will get people up and dancing, an aerial rig with circus performers, fire displays and much more.

“It is everything we pegged out for IGNITE that didn’t happen, but bigger and better.”

The good news is that, apart from a long table dinner, everything else will be free.

It is intended that IGNITE will become a flagship annual event, bringing the community together and stimulating the visitor economy in a traditionally off-peak period..

Details of the Winter Wine Festival are being kept under wraps for the time being, and the Kiama Sevens are being held this weekend.



“These three upcoming events are crucial for our local community – especially for our local hospitality and tourism operators in Kiama and Gerringong – after a very difficult period with COVID, so it is also a welcome boost for our local small businesses with the additional visitors,” says the Member for Kiama, Gareth Ward.

“I acknowledge the NSW Government’s support of these three upcoming events and as your local MP I will continue to fight hard for our fair share of funding for future events in the Kiama electorate.”

Mayor Neil Reilly also welcomes the funding, “Kiama Council, through our Destination Kiama team, has been working closely with our hospitality and tourism operators, as well as organisers of our many local events throughout the challenges of Covid.

“Helping them manage a return to ‘business as normal’ in recent months would not have been possible without the strong support of the NSW Government through initiatives such as this.”