Over the last year with the current economic condition and the downturn in the economy, community events have become harder to run. This year has seen the Tauranga Jazz festival run at a loss and the Wine and Food Festival cancelled due to low ticket sales. Despite the 16 year solid history and great support from the community, BBBQs has also suffered. The last few years have seen challenges for us both running the event, and the performance of the festivals. Tauranga Round Table (the local community service club that runs Blues Brews and BBQs) is a non profit charitable group and needs to be able to ensure that any event run is a success to enable it to give back to the community. For this reason we have chosen not to hold a festival in January 2012. The small group of volunteers who organize the festival are taking a year off to refocus on a more enjoyable event in January 2013, and in the meantime work on some new initiatives to continue supporting our community.

 

We would like to take this time to thank all our loyal supporters, both stall holders and patrons, and all those who have supported the festival over its 16 years. Without this support we wouldn’t have been able to raise over $1.5m to help the local community. We look forward to seeing you again in January 2013.

 

  

Warren Bigwood

President Tauranga Round Table