Big New Year’s shout
Launceston BeerFest tipped to have 10,000 in attendance
UP to 10,000 revellers are expected to take in the picturesque surrounds of Launceston’s Royal Park on Saturday for the fifth Launceston BeerFest New Year’s Eve bash and 11th overall.
BeerFest Australia, founded by Launceston duo James Harding and Stacy File, has gone on to be one of the northern city’s most successful mainland exports since its inception in 2011, with festivals held in eight locations including Fremantle, Melbourne, Albury and Canberra.
Mr Harding, formerly licensee of The Irish Launceston and holding a variety of board positions, said more than 5000 tickets had been sold, with 8000–10,000 likely to be sold by the time the party kicked off at 4pm.
About 50 per cent of sales are from interstate, particularly Queensland and NSW, with the promise of riches to flow-on to the local economy.
“Hotels, restaurants, bars, everyone stays a couple of
nights in Launceston,” he said.
There would be “something for everyone”, he promised, with a kids’ program from 4-9.30pm, culminating in the first fireworks show at 9.30pm, another at midnight to bring in the New Year, live
music, comedy, gourmet food stalls, grog masterclasses and enough craft beer, wine, seltzers, cocktails, spirits and ciders to satisfy even David Boon or Bob Hawke in their pomp.
The end of Covid border restrictions will be a godsend
for the festival, too.
“A lot of stallholders are back after a few years off, more people will be on-site, there’ll be a lot more live music,” Mr Harding said.
St Helens rockers Luca Brasi will headline the Kombi Keg Main Stage at 10pm,
while comedy acts will include Luke Heggie, of The Project fame, Kerri Gay and Emergency Poncho.
There are at least 32 stallholders booked, including Du Cane Brewery, Adams Distillery, Penguin Beer Co. and Spreyton Cider Co.