Canowindra has one big, ‘balloon size’ reason to celebrate, with Canowindra Challenge Incorporated taking home Silver at the NSW State Tourism Awards in the Festivals and Events category last Thursday night!
Jan Kerr said “It is a great recognition of how small rural communities can pull together and create a magnificent festival for people to enjoy. The economic benefit to our town, its businesses, and schools, sporting clubs and charities and the wider region is huge. Many, many thanks to all.”
The NSW Tourism Awards celebrate and acknowledge tourism businesses that have demonstrated outstanding achievement and success throughout the year. It is a fantastic achievement for Canowindra and CCI, whose event not only attracts over 11,000 people to the region each year, but also raises awareness of Canowindra and the greater Cabonne area.
This year’s event injected over $1,000,000 into our regional community which does filter through the entire community. “Such a significant benefit is a driving force in securing local and state based support for our unique event and a primary reason as to why we received this recognition. We would like to take this opportunity to thank our most significant sponsors, Origin LPG and Cabonne Council,” Jan said.
Planning for the 2014 event is in full swing with 32 teams already registered of which 11 are international. “Visiting teams means we have a huge requirement for accommodation and beds and once again we are looking for Canowindra residents to open their homes,” states CCI Chairman, Arthur Falconer.
“Canowindra accommodation houses are already filling with forward bookings for spectators so we are keen to investigate opportunities for house and room rentals for our visiting teams”. Arthur Falconer said.
“The plan is to make the 2014 event bigger and better than ever before. Our dream to take The Balloon Championships to the international stage and we can already see this really starting to come together.” CCI Chairman, Arthur said.
Well done to everyone involved in staging this wonderful event for our community. Congratulations!!!! For more detailed information on how you might be able to assist is supplying accommodation for the 2014 event, please contact Fiona Ferguson at the Age of Fishes (02) 6344 1008.