Huge success for the festival and the regional town amidst one of the most challenging spending climates.
The Spilt Milk festival’s stage illuminated the night sky over Ballarat despite the wet weather, marking the success of its third instalment. The city, already renowned for its cultural appeal, experienced a surge in economic activity over the weekend as more than 40,000 attendees flocked to Victoria Park for the one-day musical extravaganza.
Reports pouring in from accommodation and hospitality venues across the city suggest a bustling weekend, with many festival-goers opting to extend their stay in Ballarat. While the exact economic impact is yet to be tallied, preliminary indicators hint at a surpassing performance compared to last year’s festival, which injected an estimated $5 million into the local economy, drawing a crowd of 32,000.
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City establishments catering to the influx of visitors experienced a surge in patronage, leading to fully booked venues and some even expanding outdoor seating to meet the heightened demand. Festival attendees embraced the convenience of Neuron’s e-scooters, clocking in almost 1400 rides over the weekend—a record-breaking feat since March, with 825 rides on Saturday and 566 on Sunday.
Mayor Cr Des Hudson, lauding events like Spilt Milk, highlighted their role in establishing Ballarat as a major event city. He expressed his delight at attracting high-caliber events while providing a platform for showcasing local musical talent. The city’s vibrant atmosphere, fueled by tourists occupying accommodations and filling hospitality venues, demonstrated the success of such cultural initiatives.
Spilt Milk Ballarat has officially sold out, with the festival crushing Moshtix History
Cr Hudson extended gratitude to Victoria Park user groups and individual park users for their cooperation and flexibility during the festival. He also commended the overall good behaviour of attendees, contributing to a lively and secure atmosphere for all.
Spilt Milk organisers, Kicks Entertainment, said, “We are so thankful to be able to collaborate with the local community and businesses to bring the festival to Ballarat. It is always amazing to see so many young people travel to Ballarat for the first time to attend and then discover more of the town. Hopefully many of them will be back next year!”
As the festival wraps up, event organisers will initiate the bump-out process, paving the way for the reopening of all internal roads in Victoria Park to the public on Friday, 8 December.
Despite the rain, Spilt Milk has once again proven its ability to be a cultural and economic boon for Ballarat, leaving a positive imprint on both locals and visitors alike.
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