The Lakes Festival left ripples across the Central Coast this month, attracting more than 60,000 people to events and activities over the 10 days.

Central Coast Council recorded a massive jump in numbers from last year’s event, with a predicted benefit of more than $6.7 million (Source: National Institute of Economic and Industry Research (NIEIR) for the local economy.

Council Director Connected Communities, Julie Vaughan, said this has been the most successful Lakes Festival so far since it was introduced three years ago to activate, educate and celebrate our local waterways.

“Attendance was up across all events with more people going to more than one event highlighting it has become a true Festival with something for everyone,” Ms Vaughan said.

“Opening up extra events from Budgewoi to Ettalong was a great success bringing new experiences and opportunities to explore our waterways than previously.”

“We’re keen to have everyone return next year and will also be looking for new events to join in – I can’t wait to see what ideas we get when expressions of interest open early next year.”

Some of the highlights from this year’s Festival included:

• Council’s award-winning environmental education tours were booked out in advance
• Light up the Lake at Memorial Park, The Entrance attracted huge crowds with The Potbelleez headlining the night
• Thousands turned up to the popular Brisbane Water Oyster Festival and Long Jetty Street Festival
• Park Feast was a new addition to the program and proved a huge success packing out the Gosford Waterfront
• Central Coast Holiday Parks saw an increase in accommodation bookings during the Festival, from both visitors outside the region as well as locals
• Cycle the Lake had more than 1,000 people download the mapping system to cycle the shared pathways that passed through most of the events hubs.

Mayor Jane Smith said The Lakes Festival is a great way to highlight some of the Central Coast’s greatest assets and have some fun at the same time.

“It makes you realise how lucky we are to have such a beautiful natural environment that we can enjoy and showcase both residents and visitors to the region,” Mayor Smith said.

“Not only did the Festival boost our local economy, it had the added bonus of educating everyone about our unique waterways.

“We are spending millions every year on improving our local waterways for the enjoyment of everyone now and into the future.”

Council would like to thank the sponsors for helping make the Festival such a success – Star FM, NBN, Tuggerah Lakes Estuary and Central Coast Holiday Parks.

Council would also like to give a special mention to all their event partners and the Festival-goers for making 2017 a success.

Next year The Lakes Festival will make a splash across the Central Coast from 8-19 November 2018.

Watch this space: centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/thelakesfestival