Maribyrnong council is injecting $314,000 to make its 2014-15 festival season the best yet.
The events calendar starts in September with the colour and enthusiasm of Ethiopian New Year celebrations at Footscray’s Nicholson Street Mall and ends next June with the smooth, soulful sounds of Jazz Out West.
Maribyrnong mayor Grant Miles said funding for the rich collection of 15 festivals was endorsed by the council as part of its 2014-15 grants program.
“Since our first Festival City season [in 2011], we have earned our stripes and become the go-to destination for festivals year round,” Cr Miles said. “This funding allows us to keep doing what we have been doing, and do it well.
‘‘This year, our focus has been on continuing this success and ensuring we have festivals that attract people to our city year round.
“Festivals remind us of our diversity and bring us together to celebrate all that makes us unique.”
The council’s grants program provides funding opportunities for community festivals and signature events. Community festivals selected for funding include Yarraville’s Carols in the Gardens, Emerge in the West, the Yarraville and Seddon festivals, Blacksmiths Festival in Footscray, the Team Melbourne Sports Festival at Victoria University in January, and the Setting Sun Short Film Festival at Yarraville’s Sun Theatre next April.
The East Meets West Lunar Festival in Footscray, Quang Minh Tet Festival and the Big West Festival in November next year secured funding as signature festivals.
Cr Miles says the council will be a partner in events including the St Jerome’s Laneway Festival, the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival and Melbourne Fringe Festival.
It will also stage community events including fireworks in Footscray Park on New Year’s Eve and Australia Day celebrations.
