Maitland Events flagship event program

Flagship event program

t 02 4931 2801 maitlandevents.com.au events@maitland.nsw.gov.au

Contents Introduction - Maitland Events Page 4 Volunteer Program Page 5 Sponsorship Program Page 6 Australia Day Page 8 Maitland Taste Page 10 Hunter Valley Steamfest Page 12 Maitland Aroma Coffee and Chocolate Festival

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Riverlights Multicultural Festival

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Bitter & Twisted Boutique Beer Festival

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New Year’s Eve Page 20

Introduction

As a community we join with each other and our visitors to celebrate iconic events and local festivals.

Maitland Events Maitland Events is the section of Maitland City Council responsible for the delivery of seven flagship events for the city each year. The events team organises and manages Maitland’s Australia Day celebrations, Maitland Taste, Hunter Valley Steamfest, Maitland Aroma, Riverlights Multicultural Festival, Bitter & Twisted Boutique Beer Festival and New Year’s Eve festivities.

The team comprises event specialists, dedicated to ensuring every flagship event contributes to Maitland’s cultural identity, helping the city to become widely recognised as a home of unique, exciting and successful festivals. The team bring a vast array of skills and experience to each event, all with a passion for developing the future of events in Maitland.

With a population of around 75,000 and growing by the rate of a family a day, Maitland is one of the fastest growing regional centres in NSW. These flagship events are a key attraction for the city, popular with both residents and visitors, attracting over 130,000 people and annually injecting $20 million into the local economy. p4

Maitland Events runs a volunteer program that includes over 150 active, dynamic and enthusiastic volunteers from all walks of life sourced from the city of Maitland and across the Hunter.

The events come to life with the assistance of dedicated volunteers who continue to support in a range of roles year after year.

Roles are developed to ensure that the volunteer’s involvement is enjoyable, meaningful and recognised. Volunteers are rewarded for their efforts with a benefits and recognition program.

Volunteering at Maitland Events gives people an opportunity to make a valued contribution to the community, meet new people, gain new skills or transition to retirement.

Volunteers

Volunteer Program

Sponsorship Sponsorship Program Working in partnership with Maitland Events is an ideal way to align your business with a quality product that benefits Maitland and the broader community.

Maitland Events are known for providing quality events, with strong recognition in the community, and have a loyal following allowing them to grow year after year.

Each event comes with a professional marketing campaign, which ensures both the event and event partners receive prominent, prolonged exposure. A dedicated Events Officer - Commercial Relations will work with you to ensure maximum return on your investment.

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Event snapshot

Australia Day 26 January Maitland Park 5,000 – 8,000 attendees 10 – 20 volunteers Water sports, thong throwing and family activities make for an exciting Aussie themed extravaganza each January in Maitland Park. Thousands of proud residents fill the park and playground to share a free barbeque breakfast, enjoy the live entertainment, interact with the kids activities and take advantage of free entry into Maitland Pool. With the flag flying proudly the celebration also makes for a very special citizenship ceremony as many new residents choose to take the pledge on this day in Maitland. Maitland’s Australia Day celebrations represents community spirit at its best. p8

Event snapshot

Maitland Taste March The Levee Lifestyle Precinct, Central Maitland 12,000 – 15,000 attendees 60 – 70 volunteers Maitland Taste is a celebration of great food, wine and produce from the Hunter Region and surrounds.

Focussing on sustainability, stalls and activities at Maitland Taste feature local or regional produce and organic products. Featuring a diverse cooking and gardening demonstration program, interactive displays and kids activities that focus on the wider interpretation of taste by embracing the ethos of ‘Grow. Create. Taste’, Maitland Taste gives attendees the opportunity to learn something new for their kitchen or garden, whilst enjoying the ambience of live music and styled dining areas.

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Event snapshot

Hunter Valley Steamfest April Maitland Station Precinct and Rally Ground 65,000 – 80,000 attendees 100 – 120 volunteers A celebration of Maitland’s strong steam and industrial heritage, Hunter Valley Steamfest has cemented itself as Australia’s premier festival of steam, operating for over 30 years. Featuring a diverse and exciting rail journeys program, vintage machinery, Show ‘n’ Shine, kids activities and live entertainment, Steamfest offers something for the whole family.

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Event snapshot

Maitland Aroma Coffee and Chocolate Festival August Riverside Car Park, Central Maitland 15,000 – 18,000 attendees 60 – 70 volunteers The warm aroma of freshly ground coffee beans, rich melted chocolate and decadent dishes descend on Maitland during this snug August festival. Featuring expert chocolatiers, talented baristas and the best of the region’s winemakers it is the perfect way to ward off the winter chill. This festival of the senses sees the riverside come alive, allowing rugged up visitors to enjoy some of the most indulgent products from across the entire Hunter Region and beyond as local entertainers take to the stage to create a light, celebratory atmosphere. p 14

Event snapshot

Riverlights Multicultural Festival October The Levee Lifestyle Precinct, Central Maitland 8,000 attendees 30 – 40 volunteers With over 20 different cultures represented through interactive stalls, dance, food, music and arts, Riverlights is a diverse and colourful celebration of multiculturalism and humanity. This event really shines at night, with the popular festival parade and magical lantern flotilla featured on the Hunter River.

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Event snapshot

Bitter & Twisted Boutique Beer Festival November Maitland Gaol 4,000 – 5,000 attendees 50 – 70 volunteers Music. Food. Beer.

The Bitter and Twisted Boutique Beer Festival brings together over fifty craft beers, the best live music from around Australia and an array of international cuisine, all within the confines of the former maximum security prison Maitland Gaol. A unique festival in its theme and location, Bitter and Twisted is a celebration of high quality food, beer, music and all things unexpected. p 18

Event snapshot

New Year’s Eve December Riverside Central Maitland 10,000 – 12,000 attendees 10 – 15 volunteers Each year families from across Maitland flock to the banks of the Hunter River to welcome in the new year with food, fun and fireworks. Regarded as one of the most spectacular displays of New Year’s Eve fireworks in the Hunter Region, Maitland also offers live entertainment, kids’ activities, festival food and plenty of room for twilight picnics.

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If you would like to be involved in any of these events, contact the team at Maitland Events on 02 4931 2801 or events@maitland.nsw.gov.au

Maitland Events t 02 4931 2801 events@maitland.nsw.gov.au maitlandevents.com.au