A popular music concert has stopped the much-loved Burton Automotive Hunter Valley Steamfest in its tracks.
Due to a clash of dates with Groovin the Moo in 2023, the 35th edition of the locomotive extravaganza will now take place on Saturday and Sunday 29 and 30 April.
Initially scheduled for seven days earlier, to fit around Easter and the National Historical Machinery Association Rally, Steamfest organisers made the tough decision this week to alter their plans.
“It’s in the best interest of our city’s transport network and transport stakeholders, as well as local accommodation and tourism providers,” Maitland City Council’s coordinator city events and activation Adam Franks said.
“Steamfest has had an extended run of bad luck, with a number of cancellations since 2019 due to COVID and significant weather events.
“In 2023, we will be celebrating its 35th anniversary, so hosting it on the same weekend as another of the city’s largest events would have caused all sorts of challenges for council, infrastructure providers, local residents, visitors to Maitland and the organisers over at Groovin the Moo as well.”
The music festival, which has featured acts such as silverchair and Peking Duk in the past, attracts thousands to Maitland annually, with a reported crowd of 16,000 in 2022.
Hunter Valley Steamfest regularly draws in excess of 50,000 people from across the Hunter Valley, New South Wales and interstate.
“This decision hasn’t been made lightly,” Mr Franks said.
“But, after discussion and negotiation with Groovin the Moo and Steamfest’s partners, as well as major event, transport and emergency stakeholders, it became clear that it wouldn’t be possible to stage both events on the same weekend, without major impact to everyone.
“Additionally, hosting two of the city’s largest events on the same weekend would have affected our accommodation and tourism operators.
“Now, the shift in dates for Steamfest will help spread the economic impact of both events, which is well into the millions of dollars, over two weekends.
“We look forward to bringing you more information on Steamfest’s 2023 program in the coming months.”
Ticket holders who had their tickets rolled over from the 2022 cancellation will be contacted by council’s ticketing provider in the coming week and will automatically have them changed to the new dates.
They will also have the option to have their tickets refunded in full.
Visit www.steamfest.com.au for more information.
For more entertainment stories:
- Headline acts bound for Hunter in 2023
- Christmas Under the Stars back on festive calendar
- City’s night-time economy receives $800,000 boost
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