Most people who visited Winterfest 2018 ‘plan to visit Port Adelaide again in the next few months’ – and 94 per cent of festival goers said they would attend such an event if it was held again next year.
These are just two of the results from face-to-face surveys of Winterfest visitors.
Winterfest 2018, run over 17 days and coinciding with the July school holidays, was hosted by Renewal SA to encourage people to visit Port Adelaide at what is traditionally a quiet time of the year.
About 80,000 people attended, attracted by ice-skating, live entertainment, workshops, food and drinks and more for children, adults and family groups.
Our visitor survey heat map shows that people from all over metropolitan Adelaide traveled far and wide to visit the winter spectacular.
Renewal SA Director of Place and Marketing Rachel Walsh said Winterfest was held with the support of the City of Port Adelaide Enfield and local traders to generate economic activity and build on growing confidence and momentum at Port Adelaide.
“Nearly half the food and drink vendors who took part in this year’s event are based in Port Adelaide, including the newly re-opened Port Admiral Hotel, Red Lime Shack, Spice N Ice, Drummer Boy and Café 2 U,” Ms Walsh said.
“Two Port Adelaide-based entrepreneurs, Jaqueline Barmentloo and Andrea Cristie, known as POSH, coordinated the very popular market stalls at Winterfest.
“We are also providing targeted support to local businesses, including a business mentoring scheme, throughout the year.”
Through a partnership between Renewal SA’s Works Training and Employment Program and Quality Training and Hospitality College, Winterfest also provided a work experience opportunity for 30 hospitality students. Students completed a variety of tasks, and gained valuable event experience along with a Certificate of Appreciation, while also completing the practical experience component of their hospitality training course.
Ms Walsh said the survey showed people were very satisfied with their Winterfest experience, with many citing it a great family day out.
“People loved the market stalls, the festive atmosphere and the live entertainment and they thought Winterfest was a great way to show off the rich heritage of the Hart’s Mill precinct,” she said.
Visitors to Winterfest also included the popular children’s television show, Totally Wild. Watch their Winterfest feature in Episode 98.