Applications to the state government's Regional Event Fund open today, Thursday 15 February, as an event it supports gets underway on Kangaroo Island.

Managed by the South Australian Tourism Commission, the Regional Event Fund encourages the development of new and innovative regional events and aims to grow existing events, while driving visitation and boosting the regional economy.

The popular Kangaroo Island Cup Carnival, one of the events supported by the fund, celebrates 141 years in 2024.

It attracts more than 3,000 attendees over its two days, this year held on Thursday 15 and Saturday 17 February.

It pumps valuable dollars into the local economy as eventgoers flock to the region and spend with accommodation providers, restaurants, cafes and local shops.

The racing carnival is one of 33 regional events supported through the Fund during 2023-24. 

Tourism Minister Zoe Bettison says regional events are an important driver of visitation that help celebrate vibrancy and creativity and contribute to the social fabric of regional communities.

“I encourage event organisers to consider an application to the Regional Event Fund to help grow their event and bring visitors to regions. 

“This is a fantastic opportunity to strengthen our state’s wonderful annual regional event calendar.“

Mawson MP Leon Bignell says the grants are fantastic for regional areas such as Kangaroo Island because they help organisers to market events to people interstate and in other parts of SA. 

“Events are brilliant at converting people from thinking about visiting a region to actually travelling to the destination. 

“Generally, people go to the event and spend several days either side engaging in other activities that help grow the visitor economy at a local level.”

Greg Miller, Secretary/Treasurer, Kangaroo Island Racing Club, says the Kangaroo Island Cup Carnival has become one of South Australia’s iconic racing carnivals, attracting thousands of visitors.

“The support we receive from the South Australian Tourism Commission assists us to stage a first-class country racing experience.

“The track is looking spectacular this year and punters can expect two fantastic days of racing boasting record prize money, record nominations and the State’s leading jockeys. 

“With the support of the Regional Event Fund, we are able to put on the biggest single first-class event held on the Island each year attracting visitors from as far as the Pilbara in Western Australia, the Northern Territory, and down through Victoria and up as high as far north Queensland.”

The Regional Event Fund is open for applications until 5pm on Monday 6 May. 

The 2024-25 Fund will support events that are staged between 1 September 2024 to 31 August 2025.

Funding is offered across two event categories: Established Event Funding and Development Event Funding. 

Event organisers can apply for up to three years’ funding, to the value of $50,000 per year for an Established Event, and up to $20,000 per year for a Development Event.

For funding guidelines and to apply visit the Tourism SA website.