Become a friend of the Jumpers and Jazz in July festival
Warwick’s beloved Jumpers and Jazz in July festival will transform our town again in just five months time. There is already strong interest in this year’s festival from bus companies and enthusiastic yarn artists. Luckily planning is well underway towards creating another exciting and memorable event in 2016 with many favorite events returning supported by several brand new projects sure to delight locals and visitors.
The community expressed its commitment to supporting the future of festival at a meeting in 2015 with many locals wanting the opportunity to contribute financially to its long term viability. Prompted by the recent changes to the landscape of tourism on the Southern Downs, the organising team for Jumpers and Jazz in July commenced the process of transitioning the festival towards becoming a community owned event. One of the key initiatives inspired by the public meeting was to offer locals the opportunity to donate cash to the festival, with locals expressing a strong desire to contribute to the event that provides a significant boost to the economy in the retail, accommodation and hospitality sector.
Many events around Australian have struggled to continue with increasing insurance costs and decreasing sponsorship partnerships and Jumpers and Jazz in July is no different. It is estimated that the annual cost of running Jumpers and Jazz in July exceeds $150,000 which is offset by cash and in kind support from major contributors Warwick Art Gallery, Southern Downs Regional Council and, in previous years, Warwick Tourism and Events. Government grants and generous sponsorship from Warwick Credit Union, Ergon Energy and Spicer’s Peak Lodges have ensured that the past twelve years of festivals have thrived. These years ofgrowth have established Jumpers and Jazz in July as a significant regional festival and one that our whole community should be proud of.
“Friends of the Festival” is a wonderful new opportunity to really make a difference to the future of the festival. Jumpers and Jazz in July advisory team member Lynne Bryson is excited to support the initiative offering to launch the concept at her business Bryson’s Place.
“I have had many conversations with customers who want to contribute to the festival because they love it so much and want to see it grow each year”, said Lynne, “I urge everyone to really think about how much they value what the festival brings to our town and support it.”
Those who sign up to be a Friend of the Festival will be acknowledged in a special tree jumper to be designed by the team at Warwick Art Gallery for display during the official tree jumper exhibition.
Information about making a donation and becoming a Friend of the Festival is available at Warwick Art Gallery, the Warwick Visitor Information Centre and, for a short time, Bryson’s Place . Also keep an eye out for pop up displays at Rose City Shoppingworld and other locations on the Southern Downs…
ENDS
Issued by Karina Devine Gallery Director Warwick Art Gallery 49 Albion Street, Warwick QLD 4370 P 07 46610434 E karina.devine@sdrc.qld.gov.au
For
The Jumpers and Jazz in July Advisory Team Team Chair Rob Hamilton P 07 46619073 E rob@destinationsoutherndowns.com.au