Stall holders support small businesses at Clermont’s Gold and Coal Festival

The local pub, hotels and food suppliers were needed in an unexpected way when businesses from across the region rolled in.

Many out-of-town stall holders at Clermont’s 21st Coal and Gold festival, travelled to the town with intentions of supporting and injecting funds back into the community.

Ben Crowley of Kombi Keg Capricorn, was one of the small businesses to purchase supplies from Clermont, rather than larger suppliers.

“We have agreements with all the major brewing companies, but in this case, we decided that coming to a regional town we wanted to keep some money in the town,” he said.

“So we bought the kegs through the pub, which was great.

“Supporting local is everything. You’ve got to keep it local.

“We are a small business and we understand you have to fight for every dollar.”

In photos: Clermont’s 21st Gold and Coal Festival

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The 2021 festival, held on August 20 and 21 at Clermont’s Centenary park, was the first one for the Yeppoon base business.

“It’s been a big success, probably bigger than we thought,” Mr Crowley said.

“The people of Clermont really came out in force and gave it a good old nudge which we’re really happy with.

“We had to change over kegs which was normal and we ran out of rum at one point but we had a back up, and then we ran out a second time.

“We’ll probably run out again but that’s a good thing.”

Event organiser Tania Gillies said it was great to see so many visiting businesses supporting local and giving the town a much-needed boost.

She said most of the stall holders and people travelling were all staying in the caravan parks and motels, and a number of food suppliers providing products for food stalls.

“Kombi Keg went through the local pub and the Dutch pancakes has a big order of strawberries that he orders when he gets here,” Ms Gillies said.

“A lot of [the stall holders] are supporting local businesses even if they aren’t local themselves.”