Grampians Grape Escape among major events supported across Victoria

Major events across Victoria are being supported by the state government with more than 20 events receiving funding via the latest round of the Regional Events Fund.

The latest round of funding supports events from the Mildura Fringe Festival to the Great Trentham Spudfest, the East Gippsland Winter Festival and Ballarat International Foto Biennale.

The Grampians Grape Escape attracts thousands of visitors to the Grampians region. It is one of 37 events supported through earlier rounds of the Regional Events Fund, over the past 12 months.

The popular festival brings together dozens of local wineries, breweries, growers and chefs - with tastings, cooking demonstrations and family activities in the stunning Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park from 2nd to 4th May.

The Regional Events Fund supports festivals, sporting events, and exhibitions that create local jobs, boost tourism, and showcase Victoria's regional communities-offering up to $500,000 for major events of national or international significance, and up to $50,000 for events that draw visitors from across the state and country.

In the past year, regional events across the state have attracted more than a million attendees and led to more than 300,000 hotel nights being booked. Forward hotel occupancy data from STR for regional Victoria was very high at 79% for Good Friday and Easter Saturday.

The Major Events Fund is also supporting marquee events held regionally, including the Rip Curl Pro, the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race and the Frida Kahlo: In her own image exhibition in Bendigo with regional events forming a key part of the state's $40 billion visitor economy.

Applications for the next round of Regional Events Fund - Stream 2 open on Thursday, 1st May and more information can be found at corporate.visitvictoria.com/events/regional-events-fund.

Image top. Credit: Grampians Grape Escape; Image below. Credit: Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race 2021