MEDIARELEASE*ForImmediateRelease*20July2016

PreparationsheatupforMackay’stopsocialevent

PreparationsareinfullswingforoneofQueensland’sTop10SocialEventsasMackaygetsreadytocelebrate‘aneventlikenoother’attheMackayAirportBeachHorseRacingFestival.FestivalorganiserChrissyEvangelousaidtheeventpromisedfun,fashionandauniqueracedayforalltypesoffestival-goers.“ThereareticketoptionstosuiteveryonefromthepremiumSirrometVIPQuarterdeck,whichisMackay’sanswertoMelbourne’sBirdCage,throughtogeneraladmissionandfamilyticketoptions,”shesaid.Top-notchcelebritiesincludingTVpresentersandambassadorsfortheBrisbaneRacingCarnivalLizCantorandDamienAnthonyRossiwilljoininthefuntopromoteTheMackayRegionandallithastooffer.Thisyear, the Race Day will also launch Mikey’s Larrikin Bar as a fitting tribute to Mick Pope, the man with the vision who founded this ‘event like no other’.AnotherhighlightoftheFestivalistheFashionsontheSand,sponsoredbytheMackayCityCentre.“OneofthemostcommonquestionsIgetaskediswhattoweartoaracedayonthebeach,”Chrissysaid.“Therearenoruleswhenitcomestobeachfashion;we’veseenitallfrombrightandcolourfulsummerdressestosuitsandties.”“Weareencouragingpeopletosupportthe‘buyMackay’initiativeandpurchasetheiroutfitsandaccessoriesfromMackayfashionstoresorlocaldesigneranddressmakers.”TheFestival has gone from strength to strength in recent years and even reached ‘hallmark’ event status with Tourism and Events Queensland, acknowledged for contributing to the social fabric and economic prosperity of The Mackay Region.GeneralManagerofMackayTourismLtd(MTL)TasWebbersaidtheuniqueeventwasahugedrawcardfortouristsandlocalsalike.

“Theeventbringsvisitorsfromalloverthecountrytoenjoythesandywhitebeaches,thefantasticweather,alfrescodining,accommodation,entertainmentandattractionsTheMackayRegionhastooffer.”“It’stheperfectopportunityforourtourismindustrytoshowtheworldthatTheMackayRegionistheidealtraveldestination.” While the showpiece of this three-day Festival is the Mackay Airport Beach Race Day, the Festival also features a legendary Opening Night Party, Charity Golf Challenge, Calcutta Night and much more.TheFestivalwillrunfromThursday,August25toSunday,August28,withtheMackayAirportBeachRaceDaybeingheldonSaturday,August27.Gatesopenat11am.Ticketspricesstartat$25forgeneraladmissionandtherewillbelivemusicandaKidsKingdomtokeepthekidsentertained.Formoreinformation,visitwww.mackaybeachhorseracing.com.auForinterviews/photographsorfootage,pleasecontactChrissyon0417203530.*Ends*MEDIACONTACTSMelissaWoods|CommunicationsOfficer|0409622877NeleHahne|MarketingOfficer|nele@mackayregion.com|0437330473TasWebber|GeneralManager|gm@mackayregion.com|0439873726*Ends*