The 2018 Harvest Festival Central Coast, held over the June long weekend, attracted over 16,000 people and boosted the economy of the Central Coast by $3.7 million.

This is the second year Central Coast Council has hosted the unique event with local producers promoting the hidden gems of the region’s hinterland.

Council Unit Manager Community Partnerships, Glenn Cannard, said this was a fantastic result for the community and for the Central Coast as a whole.

“We saw a 60 percent increase in visitors from the inaugural event last year which attracted 10,000 people – this is a fantastic result and shows word is spreading about this great Festival.

“For the second year, event statistics show a high level of interest from out-of-region visitation to our local farming properties and this has positively impacted local businesses and the economy.

“Harvest Festival is an innovative event model built around community partnerships and ownership. It celebrates the fantastic local produce from around the region as well as our unique area, people and culture.

“We are pleased to run this event with our community, show off our beautiful hinterland areas, promote the Coast as a supplier of quality produce and drive economic benefits to the region.”

The Harvest Festival program was designed for attendees to follow an event trail that encouraged visitation at multiple local farms and food hubs, family activities and event hubs.

The trail took visitors through Dooralong, Jilliby, Yarramalong, Kulnura, Mangrove Mountain, Peats Ridge, Somersby and Calga. The public participated in the many activities across the two days including fresh food markets, bush tucker tours, working farm tours and the popular ‘pick your own pecans’ and tree shaking demonstrations.

Central Coast Council Mayor Jane Smith said that Harvest Festival grew from a need in the local market for place activation events that had the potential to build community capacity, become sustainable and drive economic and tourism objectives.

“The visitor economy on the Central Coast makes a positive contribution to the community through economic development, trade and export, employment and by building local pride,” Mayor Smith said.

“Harvest Festival Central Coast is an important event run by Council in partnership with local farmers and businesses to promote our region’s quality produce and showcase our unique hinterland to visitors.

“Council is committed to investment in tourism for the region – we want to be the natural choice for leisure, business and major events in regional NSW and our success with Harvest Festival paves the way to achieve this.

“We are delighted that Harvest Festival has been so successful for the community and look forward to supporting local people and local businesses through this event and similar events in the future.”

Harvest Festival Central Coast is proudly presented by Central Coast Council and Destination NSW.

For more information visit centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/harvestfestival