Latest news with #JeffRea
Otago Daily Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Festival pumps $2.52m into economy
Visiting bands Butter Wouldn't Melt (Wellington) and Rufous Whistler (Australia) jam at Gore's Table Talk Cafe in May as part of the Bayleys Tussock Country Music Festival. PHOTO: CALLUM THOMAS Gore had an increase in country music festival-goers this year, with visitors coming from far and wide, injecting an estimated $2.52 million into the Eastern Southland economy. Bayleys Tussock Country Music Festival had a 26% increase in attendees and an 18% rise in new visitors, a statement from organisers said. According to post-festival economic data, the average visitor's spend went up by 6%, leading to a calculated $2.52m being fed back into the local economy. The data showed that individuals also stayed longer at the 10-day festival and attended more of the 72 events on offer. The increase in numbers illustrated the festival's broadening appeal, which festival trust chairman Jeff Rea said was palpable. "This was our fourth festival and it felt like there was a notable lift in patron numbers, and new faces from all around New Zealand," he said. "We're ecstatic to see that reflected in the data also, and the trajectory of growth is nothing but exciting for the region of Eastern Southland." Festival organisers said the ongoing growth was due to an expanded programme of events, appealing to a wider range of audiences. Jeff Rea (left) and Phillip Geary. PHOTO: JAMES MACKERETH This growth was predicted by organisers a couple of months ago, when the festival's Gold Guitars competition had a record number of entries. At the time, awards panel convener Phillip Geary said the contest had 832 entries, which was about 100 more than the year before. Mr Geary noted the teenage intermediate section had recorded a big increase. The awards also had their 50-year celebration concert this year, bringing back past winners and nominees for a star-studded event. The anniversary show, Mr Rea said, without a doubt contributed to the rise in numbers. "There's no doubt this year's lift can in part be attributed to the 50th celebrations of the MLT NZ Gold Guitar Awards." He also acknowledged the "tireless work" of volunteers. "[The organisations and volunteers] all share our vision of developing this relatively new festival concept into one of New Zealand's biggest and most successful annual music events," he said. "Witnessing the festival's growth and the benefits it's bringing to our community is a welcome reward for the efforts of many." — APL
Otago Daily Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Festival's increase in patronage helps pump $2.52m into economy
Visiting bands Butter Wouldn't Melt (Wellington) and Rufous Whistler (Australia) jam at Gore's Table Talk Cafe in May as part of the Bayleys Tussock Country Music Festival. PHOTO: CALLUM THOMAS Gore had an increase in country music festivalgoers this year, with visitors coming from far and wide, injecting an estimated $2.52 million into the Eastern Southland economy. Bayleys Tussock Country Music Festival had a 26% increase in attendees and an 18% rise in new visitors, a statement from organisers said. According to post-festival economic data, the average visitor's spend went up by 6%, leading to a calculated $2.52m being fed back into the local economy. The data showed that individuals also stayed longer at the 10-day festival and attended more of the 72 events on offer. The increase in numbers illustrated the festival's broadening appeal, which festival trust chairman Jeff Rea said was palpable. "This was our fourth festival and it felt like there was a notable lift in patron numbers, and new faces from all around New Zealand," he said. "We're ecstatic to see that reflected in the data also, and the trajectory of growth is nothing but exciting for the region of Eastern Southland." Festival organisers said the ongoing growth was due to an expanded programme of events, appealing to a wider range of audiences. This growth was predicted by organisers a couple of months ago, when the festival's Gold Guitars competition had a record number of entries. Jeff Rea and Phillip Geary. PHOTO: SUPPLIED At the time, awards panel convener Phillip Geary said the contest had 832 entries, which was about 100 more than the year before. Mr Geary noted the teenage intermediate section had recorded a big increase. The awards also had their 50-year celebration concert this year, bringing back past winners and nominees for a star-studded event. The anniversary show, Mr Rea said, without a doubt contributed to the rise in numbers. "There's no doubt this year's lift can in part be attributed to the 50th celebrations of the MLT NZ Gold Guitar Awards." He also acknowledged the "tireless work" of volunteers. "[The organisations and volunteers] all share our vision of developing this relatively new festival concept into one of New Zealand's biggest and most successful annual music events," he said. "Witnessing the festival's growth and the benefits it's bringing to our community is a welcome reward for the efforts of many." — APL
Otago Daily Times
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Festival's increase in patronage helps pump $2.52m into local economy
Visiting bands Butter Wouldn't Melt (Wellington) and Rufous Whistler (Australia) jam at Gore's Table Talk Cafe in May as part of the Bayleys Tussock Country Music Festival. PHOTO: CALLUM THOMAS Gore had an increase in country music festivalgoers this year, with visitors coming from far and wide, injecting an estimated $2.52 million into the Eastern Southland economy. Bayleys Tussock Country Music Festival had a 26% increase in attendees and an 18% rise in new visitors, a statement from organisers said. According to post-festival economic data, the average visitor's spend went up by 6%, leading to a calculated $2.52m being fed back into the local economy. The data showed that individuals also stayed longer at the 10-day festival and attended more of the 72 events on offer. The increase in numbers illustrated the festival's broadening appeal, which festival trust chairman Jeff Rea said was palpable. "This was our fourth festival and it felt like there was a notable lift in patron numbers, and new faces from all around New Zealand," he said. "We're ecstatic to see that reflected in the data also, and the trajectory of growth is nothing but exciting for the region of Eastern Southland." Festival organisers said the ongoing growth was due to an expanded programme of events, appealing to a wider range of audiences. This growth was predicted by organisers a couple of months ago, when the festival's Gold Guitars competition had a record number of entries. Jeff Rea and Phillip Geary. PHOTO: SUPPLIED At the time, awards panel convener Phillip Geary said the contest had 832 entries, which was about 100 more than the year before. Mr Geary noted the teenage intermediate section had recorded a big increase. The awards also had their 50-year celebration concert this year, bringing back past winners and nominees for a star-studded event. The anniversary show, Mr Rea said, without a doubt contributed to the rise in numbers. "There's no doubt this year's lift can in part be attributed to the 50th celebrations of the MLT NZ Gold Guitar Awards." He also acknowledged the "tireless work" of volunteers. "[The organisations and volunteers] all share our vision of developing this relatively new festival concept into one of New Zealand's biggest and most successful annual music events," he said. "Witnessing the festival's growth and the benefits it's bringing to our community is a welcome reward for the efforts of many." — APL
Scoop
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Festival Tops $2.5M For Gore In Fourth Festival Year
The figures are in for this year's Bayleys Tussock Country – New Zealand's Country Music Festival, held in Gore from May 23rd to June 1st. With 72 events packed into ten days, the fourth annual festival attracted a 26% increase in attendances and an 18% rise in unique visitor numbers from across New Zealand and Australia. That surge in interest translated into an impressive $2.52 million injection into the Eastern Southland economy, according to post-festival economic data. Festival goers also stayed longer and did more while they were here. The average stay in Gore increased a further 7% from last year, and the number of events attended per person grew by 10%, highlighting the festival's broadening appeal. Additionally, average spend per visitor rose by 6%, reflecting stronger engagement with local businesses and hospitality. 'This was our fourth festival and it felt like there was a notable lift in patron numbers, and new faces from all around New Zealand,' says Trust Chair Jeff Rea. 'We're ecstatic to see that reflected in the data also, and the trajectory of growth is nothing but exciting for the region of Eastern Southland.' Festival organisers attribute the ongoing growth to an ever-expanding programme of events that appeals to a wide range of audiences. A prrivate home and room rental scheme supported by the community has also made it easier for visitors to stay longer in town. 'There's no doubt this year's lift can in part be attributed to the 50th celebrations of the MLT NZ Gold Guitar Awards,' says Rea. 'We acknowledge the tireless work of volunteers and key event organisations — the Gore Country Music Club, the NZ Songwriters Trust, the MLT NZ Gold Guitar Awards committee and the Gore District Council — who all share our vision of developing this relatively new festival concept into one of New Zealand's biggest and most successful annual music the festival's growth and the benefits it's bringing to our community is a welcome reward for the efforts of many.' Bayleys Tussock Country – New Zealand's Country Music Festival will return to Gore from May 22nd to May 31st 2026. Artist registrations open in September, with tickets on sale from November of this year.
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
People exercising their First Amendment rights aren't 'wreckers'
In a recent column, Jeff Rea bemoans the testimony of the 'wreckers" who speak during the public comment portion of local government meetings (He wants people to be 'builders' who work behind the scenes without an audience). But not everyone has the power and influence of the former mayor of Mishawaka and the current president and CEO of the South Bend Regional Chamber of Commerce. Perhaps people without that influence think that public testimony is the best way they can influence policy. We are living in a time when the president of the U.S. and his unelected associate are trying, without reference to Congress, to cut agencies and programs that provide health care, housing and education; eliminate consumer financial protection; overturn civil rights protections that have stood for 60 years; ignore the constitutional guarantee of birthright citizenship — and, in general, undo the norms and institutions that make this country a such a time we should be trying to protect democratic freedoms, not attacking people exercising their First Amendment rights, even if it is with decorum that we may not like. Marty Wolfson South Bend In response to Jeff Rea's 'Are you a builder or a wrecker' column in the Feb. 9 Tribune, he's talking about me as one of the wreckers. I was one of those that went to numerous St. Joseph County governmental meetings to speak against the expansion of the Indiana Enterprise Center developments in southern Olive Township. I did so mostly because I live nearby and spent my adult life building up my home, farm and family. So, you can call me a NIMBY (not in my backyard) if you like. However, I still think of myself as the builder and all of those who forced this development onto prime farmland and over the vulnerable Kankakee Aquifer as the wreckers. History will prove me right. Bob Humbarger New Carlisle As a lifelong Republican and St. Joseph County resident, I am saddened by and ashamed of local Republican officials' attacks on Councilman Dan Schaetzle. Their recent censure of Schaetzle for not being a 'Republican in good standing' is ridiculous and reflects poorly on those who participated in such a vote. For several years, Dan was my colleague at Penn High School, and we have spent much time discussing both local politics and conservative philosophy. I know that Dan is faithful to the beliefs of the Republican Party, and he has worked hard to grow the party and to promote good government for all of St. Joseph County. I respect Dan's personal character and judgment as an elected the councilman's power-hungry critics within the party seem more intent on advancing a narrow agenda that includes intolerance of diverse opinions and dissent. Dan is willing to work in a bipartisan manner with all members of the council while also preserving the council's unprecedented Republican majority. Effective governance involves more than advancing individuals or one party. The opportunities and challenges we face in St. Joseph County require the quality of leadership and integrity shown by Dan Schaetzle. Peter De Kever Mishawaka Andrew Pierce's guest column, "Don't ignore the growing injustices" (Viewpoint, Feb. 9), sadly contributes to the polarization in our society. In two important respects he chooses not to describe accurately the strength of the argument on the side of those he attacks. The pro-life marches, embraced in the nation and especially at Notre Dame, are portrayed as holding on to an issue largely resolved with the decision overturning Roe v. Wade. Pierce should know that the decision left the question of abortion's legality to the states and that our nation remains very divided about it. Many pro-life organizations, including the National March for Life, have accordingly put their emphasis on the beautiful objective of "changing hearts and minds." It is well to be reminded that there are other injustices deserving of our attention, but it is disappointing to see Pierce simply ignore the fact that most people do not regard deportation as an unjust remedy for a person who has entered the country illegally or who fails to report for a immigration hearing. Walter Nicgorski South Bend This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: People exercising First Amendment rights aren't 'wreckers' | Letters
