About Rivafest
Rivafest is a community celebration....
Ballina is a river town. In fact, the Ballina CBD and much of the town sits on an island in the Richmond River.
The River dominates the landscape and, since the first human footprints appeared on its banks, it has helped to define and sustain life in this region. It has provided food, water, employment and recreation for countless generations.
Rivafest is a true community event
It brings together thousands of local residents with visitors from throughout the Northern Rivers and beyond.
Many of Ballina's sporting and service clubs, its community groups, its schools, its businesses, its Council and its people work together to create a vibrant and enthusiastic celebration of life on the Richmond.
Vision
To create a unique community event that has the potential to attract visitors to the area in the long-term, develop a strong sense of community pride and sense of place and deliver real economic, social and cultural benefits to the community.
Mission
To engage, consult and actively involve the community in the development and coordination of the event program to ensure that the celebration reflects the aspirations of the community.
Aims
- Foster community spirit within the local community
- Share, respect and reflect on Ballina's heritage and aboriginal cultural heritage
- Raise the importance of the Richmond River as an environmental asset
- Increase employment opportunities
- Create an event that celebrates the culture and lifestyle of the local community and
contributes to developing a sense of place - Raise the profile of Ballina Coast and Hinterland nationally
- Build on the northern rivers brand and extend the brand awareness of Ballina as a tourism destination rich in arts, crafts, culture, heritage, lifestyle and cuisine
- Attract additional visitors to the Ballina Coast and Hinterland, extend their length of stay and increase visitor expenditure
- Counter seasonal variation by attracting visitors in the low shoulder season