AN exciting new region-wide festival is coming to the MidCoast in October 2021, creating a music, food and arts trail that will traverse the diverse landscapes, unique towns and special offerings of the Barrington Coast.

MidCoast Council’s Barrington Coast and Gallery staff is working with the community to deliver the Barrington Coast bEATS Festival and The Tanks Art Trail thanks to the support of the NSW Government’s Regional Tourism Bushfire Recovery Grant of $145,000.

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“The month-long bEATS Festival and Art Trail will deliver economic benefits to our region through increased visitation and spend, along with creating more reasons for visitors to extend their stay ‘just one more night’ and to expand their exploration of our region,” said Council’s Manager Growth, Economic Development and Tourism, Deb Tuckerman.

“Obviously we’re hoping COVID will not impact our plans for October.”

The bEATS Festival will sit between the established Wingham Akoostik Festival, Old Bar Festival, Taree Show and Forster Tuncurry’s Lakeside Festival – providing an appealing festival program for locals and visitors throughout the spring months.

The Great Lakes Food Trail and new Barrington Coast Food Trails will be developed as part of this project, and will provide a platform for showcasing our local producers and artisans.

“bEATS will be a month long celebration of local culture and community through music, food, produce and art and will be presented by locals for locals, celebrating along with visitors to our region.”

Importantly, key festival activities will be focused in areas significantly impacted by 2019 bushfires.

Along with fringe music events and food trails, work will commence on establishing a Tanks Art Trail which will connect with bEATS and assist with the recovery of regional tourism, promoting and building awareness of our region.

Tanks in two locations have been chosen to initiate a broader self-drive tour of artworks, which can grow over time.

The Barrington Coast bEATs Festival and The Tanks Art Trail are funded through the Regional Tourism Bushfire Recovery grants program, a NSW Government bushfire recovery initiative.