City Park in Launceston filled to the brim for Festivale

The team behind Festivale believe the event’s success comes down to its ability to evolve as City Park in Launceston is filled to capacity for this year’s iteration. Full wrap of the final day.

Punters enjoying Festivale. Picture: Supplied.

It has been three days of sold out crowds at this year’s Festivale in Launceston.

Having run for over three decades, about 29,000 people descended on City Park for the celebration of food, drink and entertainment.

Amy Shark performing at Festivale. Picture: Supplied

Festivale Chairman David Dunn said the event had been a “huge success.”

“The stallholders are reporting great sales. Some had to restock, and some have run out of food items,” Mr Dunn said.

“There have been bumper crowds walking around with a smile.

“It’s been a really great vibe, and people have been really relaxed, enjoying the ambience of the event.”

Mr Dunn said there were 71 food and beverage stall holders this year.

“The general comment is that what the stallholders are offering has been incredible.”

He also described the entertainment at the event as one of the best in its more than 30-year history.

Crowds enjoying the entertainment at Festivale. Picture: Supplied.

“It was really great looking out into the crowd when Amy Shark was playing on Saturday night all the demographics.

“We had young people on their parents shoulders signing along; we had people in their 50s, 60s, and 70s enjoying it as well,” Mr Dunn said.

“We appeal to such a wide range of people. It’s really an event you can bring your family to.”

Mr Dunn said Festivale was uniquely Launceston.

“You couldn’t pick up this event and run it successfully in another location. And we proved that when we had Covid.

‘We did a very much scaled-down event under a different branding name at UTAS Stadium. It was still great, and it was very different – but it wasn’t a Festivale.

“Festivale is synonymous with Launceston City Park.”

Crowds enjoying the entertainment at Festivale. Picture: Supplied.

The key to the event’s success for Mr Dunn was how it had evolved.

“It started as a multicultural food event, and it progressed from there into the streets of Launceston for a number of years,” he said.

“And then when beverages were added – and initially it was just wines – that’s when it moved to City Park.

“Since then, we’ve seen an incredible range of boutique beers and distillers and just start up in Tassie and very successful businesses on the worldwide market.”

Mr Dunn said the event had grown and emphasised encompassing elements for the food and beverage scene, mixed with entertainment.

“Every year, we look at what we do as a committee and what worked and what didn’t work.

“We’re not scared to try something different and admit if we’ve made a mistake if it doesn’t work, and we’ll certainly celebrate the successes when it does.

“The fact we keep evolving is the reason for the success.”

Festivale was an event that was loved by all, according to Mr Dunn.

“They’ve made it their own over many years – but this year in particular – people are here with smiles on their faces, and it’s just great to see that people are here to celebrate everything great about Tassie.”

Originally published as City Park in Launceston filled to the brim for Festivale