THE looming collapse of La Festa has sparked fresh calls for a change of scenery – but not necessarily back to the main street.
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When organisers announced last week the iconic festival was on its knees, social media exploded with suggestions to improve the event.
Among the comments were requests for a return to the main street – where La Festa was held for a decade – as well as calls for Griffith Showground to be considered as a venue.
While the main threats to the event are a lack of volunteers and financial difficulty, many felt a revamp of La Festa would encourage more participation.
Griffith Show Society treasurer Denny Fachin has been an advocate for a move to the showground for many years and was pleased to see locals were supportive of giving the showground a look-in.
“We really pushed for it two or three years ago but we didn’t get any results,” Mr Fachin said.
“The showgrounds have the room and infrastructure for La Festa and the event would be very welcome.
“It’s a nice, family-orientated area and that’s what La Festa should be.”
Mr Fachin said organisers should consider the possibilities for expansion of the event.
“We’ve got a nice big arena and Woodside Hall – it’s a big, big area and, on top of that, it’s safer for families,” he said.
Six weeks before this year’s event, council’s new tourism boss Greg Lawrence suggested it be moved to the showground.
The idea was discounted because it was too late to change some of the traffic plans and licensing approvals.
Four months later, Mr Lawrence is still keen for the showground to be considered.
He said he was not pushing any particular barrow; simply calling for an open discussion about a variety of options.
“My main aim is to ensure we don’t lose La Festa, because once you lose something like this it’s hard to get it back,” Mr Lawrence said.
“If there’s an opportunity to safeguard the event, we should take it.
“One of the things that takes a long time to set up at La Festa is the fence around the perimeter and the showground already has fencing, so that would save a lot of volunteer hours.”
Councillor Doug Curran, who has been chairman of the La Festa committee for the past three years, denied moving the celebrations would make a difference.
“All it does is take out the need to put up a fence, but it would take away all our shade and ambience,” Cr Curran said.
“Our biggest problem is not about location; it’s about getting people on board.”
A community meeting at Griffith Regional Theatre from 5.30pm on August 5 will discuss ideas for the future of La Festa, including whether the event should be held biennially in the opposite year to Leeton’s SunRice festival.
