Bluesfest wins ‘best’ gong
THE 28th annual Byron Bay Bluesfest pipped the 16th Blues on Broadbeach Festival and the 2016 Splendour in the Grass festival to the title of best regional event at this year’s Australian Event Awards.
The award was one of 22 national honours handed out to the best sports, music, arts and culture, cause-related and regional events at a ceremony at Caloundra Events Centre on Wednesday might.
This year’s Byron Bluesfest featured shows by 670 artists on seven stages for more than 100,000 people.
“Astounding success year on year. Bluesfest provides a broad demographic with an event that’s safe, fun, and rock and roll all at the same time,” the award judges said.
Blues on Broadbeach, a free event organised by Broadbeach Alliance, didn’t go home empty-handed, taking out two golds.
“When you consider this is a not-for-profit organisation with a team of seven people and the festival is free to attend, the achievement is even more significant,” Alliance CEO Jan McCormick said.