Future of iconic Gardenfest event in doubt

GARDENFEST is in serious doubt with organisers still in the dark over when, or even if, it will be held this year.

Owners of The Mad Hatters Tea Party Ray and Dee Finch with their display. Picture: Kevin Farmer

GARDENFEST is in serious doubt with organisers still in the dark over when, or even if, it will be held this year.

Long-time organiser Jenny Marsden said poor planning by Toowoomba Regional Council meant vendors, exhibitors and patrons were unsure about the event's future.

Organisers should be in the final stages of planning with Gardenfest traditionally held in May.

But less than two months out, no organiser has been appointed.

Mrs Marsden said her three-year contract expired last year and the tender process through council had meant a new contract had not been signed.

She said she had received no information on the event, which has been held in Toowoomba for the past 30 years.

"It's disappointing because I've brought it back up by its boots and I don't want the event to dwindle, so I've been keeping the Facebook page going in good faith," she said.

Gardenfest was relocated to the Toowoomba Showgrounds last year after heavy rain washed it out in 2014 when it was held at the TAFE campus on Bridge St.

Mrs Marsden said those involved in the event had a right to know what was happening.

"It's been frustrating and now there isn't adequate time to line up the sponsors, the advertising and exhibitors to run it even if we wanted to," she said.

"A tender went out in January and was meant to be advised by the end of February but I think the election has put the brakes on that.

"It's hurting me that I can't be more proactive.

"The vendors had been holding this weekend off and no matter the outcome it's too short notice for them to find an alternative event to attend."

Gardenfest is not the only tourism event to face uncertainty with the FKG Tour of Toowoomba cancelled this year because of financial uncertainty.

In a further blow to the city's tourism industry, Easterfest has been permanently cancelled.

Toowoomba Regional Council environment and community services general manager Nick Hauser said council was undertaking the final review of tenders to organise the event.

"No final decision has been reached at this stage and we appreciate the patience and support of suppliers throughout the evaluation period," he said.

"We will advise interested parties who submitted expressions of interest of the outcome next week."

Mrs Marsden said running the event in the months after the Carnival of Flowers and not before could be a solution.

Originally published as Future of iconic Gardenfest event in doubt