Cooly Rocks On injects more than $20 million into the Gold Coast economy
A southern Gold Coast business says Cooly Rocks On is vital for the community, with this year’s event injecting more than $20 million into the local economy.
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A southern Gold Coast business says Cooly Rocks On is vital for the community, with this year’s event injecting more than $20 million into the local economy.
More than 155,000 people made the trek down south to Coolangatta for the 12th year of Cooly Rocks On.
Streets were lined with more than 1000 classic and custom cars and local businesses copped a much-needed boost as Winter sets in.
Earth ‘n’ Sea Pizza owner Fergus Sillar said they had seen “record” sales during this year’s five-day event.
“The festival was great, the weather was perfect, the crowd was great and it was the busiest (Cooly Rocks On) we’ve ever had,” he said.
Mr Sillar said they served more than 3000 customers across the weekend.
“It had a huge positive impact. It comes at a time when the town is usually quiet, and suddenly all the restaurants were full,” he said.
“We hope it continues for a long time.”
Mr Sillar said they were not concerned about the clean-up process along Marine Parade.
“The town looked sparkling the next morning,” he said.
“The Sun was out and everyone was out early cleaning their areas.
“Cooly Rocks On is so well suited to Coolangatta.
“It’s a successful festival, rain, hail or shine. But it was extra special to have such beautiful weather this year.”
Experience Gold Coast CEO John Warn said it was one of the key events on the calendar.
“Every year this much-loved festival offers up a jam-packed program that brings joy to young and old and the community together,” he said.
“What’s not to love about the motors, music and lifestyle of the 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, and now for the first time at Cooly Rocks On - the 80s.”
The Gold Coast was up in lights over the weekend as local professional boxer Jai Opetaia defended his world title against Italian boxer Claudio Squeo in a barnstorming victory at the Convention Centre on Sunday night.
Mr Opetaia appeared to have cracked the jaw of Mr Squo in the fifth round on his way to a crushing triumph.
However the victory was not just in the ring, with the city also a big winner.
“Once again world champion Jai Opetaia has delivered an unforgettable show for the sell-out crowd of almost 4,800 boxing fans at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre,” Experience Gold Coast Executive Director of Events Avril Harris said.
“Hosting one of the biggest world title boxing bouts of the year is a huge coup for our city not just for the millions in economic benefits it brings to the visitor economy but for the opportunity to showcase our city’s event capabilities to a global audience.
“Along with the millions of boxing fans who watched the global broadcast of this fight around the world are international event organisers looking for the perfect destination to host their next major sporting event – and that’s the Gold Coast.
“The past week has been huge for the Gold Coast with the city hosting multiple major events including Australia’s largest nostalgia festival Cooly Rocks On, celebrity chef Marco Pierre White at HOTA, the Solento Surf Festival, and of course the Jai Opetaia IBF & Ring Magazine Cruiserweight World Title Fight.
“A packed calendar of events like this means our restaurants, cafes and bars are full and
accommodation was sitting at around 80% leading into the weekend, without last minute bookings, so that’s all great news for our city.”
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Originally published as Cooly Rocks On injects more than $20 million into the Gold Coast economy
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