Festival moves to alternating years to sweeten event season

THE Burdekin’s Sweet Days, Hot Nights Festival will shift to a biennial event, with the next festival set to be held from May 25-27, 2023.

The change comes following consultation between the organising committee, key stakeholders and sponsors and will ensure the festival continues to grow as the shire’s signature destination event.

Burdekin Shire Council Mayor Lyn Mclaughlin said the decision would allow other events in May to be further supported by sponsors and patrons in 2022, and allow the 2023 Sweet Days, Hot Nights Festival to be bigger and better than ever.

“Following careful deliberation and discussions with stakeholders, the organising committee determined shifting the Sweet Days, Hot Nights Festival to biennial would allow the festival to grow,” Ms Mclaughlin said.

“It will also allow residents to support the many other community events in May and providing further time to source funding and sponsorship to expand the festival program.

“In its off years, there are still plans to acknowledge the festival both physically and online. 2020 demonstrated that virtual events can be well supported, with the virtual Sweet Days, Hot Nights Festival reaching more than 150,000 people.

“May is peak event season for the Burdekin and I encourage everyone to experience the many offerings on at that time of year – and be prepared for a better Sweet Days, Hot Nights Festival in 2023.”