“Shops ensure they order in extra supplies for the many visitors who stock up in Ararat before travelling to the festival site north-west of Moyston,” he said.
Dr Harrison said the festival organisers themselves spent about $300,000 in the district community.
“Pitch’s economic impact on the region is massive and it is really great to see Ararat and Moyston so busy over the festival weekend,” he said.
“Aside from the direct spend, the festival also offers a community grants program each year that awards amounts from $500 to $5000 to local groups and organisations.
“The community barbecue food stall run at the festival makes an average of $40,000 during the weekend, and many of the people who attend, including international visitors, often stay and tour the region after the festival ends.”
Dr Harrison said council staff had also been working closely with Pitch organisers to ensure the event’s emergency management and crowd control was adequate given the rise in numbers from last year.
The event includes entertainment from international and national performers including visual and installation artists, DJs and bands.
There are also market vendors selling food, clothes and wares.
Festival director Daniel Teuma said community groups running the barbecue included Moyston-Willaura Football Netball Club, Moyston Primary School, Willaura Kindergarten and Moyston CFA.
“We’re really looking forward to our fourth year of Pitch Music and Arts and being a part of the Moyston, Willaura and Ararat communities for those few special weeks during the preparation and the weekend of the festival,” he said.
“We continue to work with the community and all stakeholders to ensure the festival operates cohesively and in sync with everyone’s interests.
“The community has welcomed the festival, our staff and attendees with open arms and it is heart-warming to see the positive impact the festival has in this beautiful part of Victoria.”
An ironic historical twist to the annual rise in people expected at Mafeking is that the area was, during Victoria’s gold-rush period, home to a mining town that at its peak had a tent population of about 10,000.
The entire February 26, 2020 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!
The entire February 26,, 2019 edition of AgLife is available online. READ IT HERE!