Destination Kiama’s Tourism Advisory Committee is recommending to the September Meeting of Council that this year’s New Year’s Eve fireworks be called off due to continuing uncertainty around the COVID situation.

Instead, it is proposing to hold a month long umbrella festival, Revel in May.

“This will be an opportunity to showcase our most prized destination events that form the fabric of our town, many of which have had to cancel throughout the pandemic,” says the Chair of the Committee, Councillor Matt Brown.

The recommendation comes after balancing the desire to bring a large drawcard event back to the town, after it was cancelled last year, with consideration of the risks involved with going ahead with the event.

Even with the release of the Roadmap for reopening, it remains uncertain what restrictions/limitations will be in place at the end of December.

“It is looking unlikely that events that encourage mass gatherings that are not ticketed nor provided allocated seating will be permitted,” says Councillor Brown.

“Council does not have the resources or infrastructure required to enforce COVID physical distancing requirements nor to manage contact tracing for a large audience that is spread widely with viewpoints along the coast.”

Making the decision this early will save the costs of investing time and effort into organising a large scale event that might not be able to be held.

Those resources will now be employed in organising an event outside of peak tourism time, when more is known about the new operating environment.

It is proposed that Destination Kiama staff will oversee a working committee of community event organisers to develop and deliver Revel in May.

“It will be a series of smaller events held at a variety of indoor and outdoor venues across the Municipality, which will attract visitors to town during a quieter time,” says Cllr Brown.

“We have a high level of support for the concept from within the industry and business community.”

It is envisaged the program will include a wide range of events, including creative arts, music and food.

Organisers of the Illawarra Folk Festival, held annually at the end of January, have also cancelled their 2022 event for the same reasons.

The Kiama Show is still being planned for 21-22 January.