A total of 37 regional events and festivals across South Australia have received a collective $531,500 financial boost in the latest round of the South Australian Tourism Commission’s Regional Event Fund.

The Regional Event Fund aims to support the development of new and innovative regional events and grow existing events, while driving visitation and economic stimulus across regional South Australia.

The 2024-25 Fund supports events that are staged from 1 September 2024 to 31 August 2025.

McLaren Vale’s Grenache and Gourmet, coming up in September, and Summer Vines, in January, are two of the beneficiaries, along with Langhorne Creek’s Handpicked Festival in November.

The Kangaroo Island Cup, in February and Gutsy Kangaroo Island, in June, will also be supported.

Rounding out the local grants are Goolwa’s biennial Wooden Boat Festival, scheduled for next April; next June’s Winter Whale Festival in Victor Harbor; and the Willunga Almond Blossom Festival next July.

Minister for Tourism Zoe Bettison says a diverse range of events is supported in this year’s Regional Event Fund, which are set to showcase the best of South Australia’s unique regions and world-class hospitality.

“Delivered through the South Australian Tourism Commission, the Regional Event Fund is an important initiative that supports a thriving events calendar across our state, helping trigger visitation as those thinking about exploring our state commit to a trip.

“With 43 cents in every tourism dollar spent in the regions, it is important we continue to drive visitation across regional South Australia and this Fund aims to do just that.”