CHINCHILLA
16 - 19 February 2017
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CHINCHILLA
WATERMELON,
FUN AND MORE FUN!
CHARIOT RACE
A tonne of fun. Assemble your chariot from melon packing cartons, pallets and
ready-made axles and race your competitors around the arena! It’s all giggles till the
wheels fall off!
MELON IRONMAN & IRONWOMAN
The ‘Melon Capital of Australia’ invites
you to be part of the 2017 Chinchilla
Melon Festival. It’s our 12th biennial
festival and this one is not to be missed!
MELON SKIING
Our most anticipated event of the festival! Squish your feet into our pre-cut
‘watermelon shoes’ and ski down a soapy course covered in watermelon pulp! It’s as
hard as it sounds, and even funnier to watch!
MELON BUNGY
Teams of four wage war against each other as they try to take possession of their
melon, whilst being attached to a bungy cord on a mat covered in soapy watermelon
pieces and being pulled in the opposite direction by their team mates!
SPONSORS MELON EATING COMPETITION
Watch our sponsors eat as much melon as they can... with no hands! That means you!
MELON SLIP, DIP & PULL
Groups team up to pit their strength against each other, till there is only one team left
standing!
MELONFEST.COM.AU
Two people per team, race their way through a slippery circuit littered with
obstacles, challenges, tasks and of course watermelon. Be the fastest team to win!
KIDS COMPETITIONS
This year we will have a dedicated kids area where they can compete like the adults
do in ‘kids size’ melon skiing and melon bungy.
PIP SPITTING COMPETITION
Just as you imagine! See how far you can spit your watermelon pip. There’s a World
Record up for grabs, with heats throughout each day!
THE FESTIVAL
IN THE MAIN STREET...
Opening of the Festival & Street Parade
A colourful and creative display of floats, buskers and street
entertainment that open every festival in style and colour! A
‘must see’ for the whole family.
FREE MELON FEAST
MELON DASH FOR CASH
MELON CARVING DEMO
Test your fitness in a mad dash for cash up and down Chinchilla’s main street. There’s only
one catch - you must carry a whole melon the entire way!
This year, we open up our program to include a melon carving competition. It
takes a steady hand and there’s no room for mistakes!
THE BIG MELON WEIGH IN
THE CAGE
During the Melon Festival, our local growers delight in inviting you to eat your
fill of free watermelon!
The ultimate opportunity for bragging rights amongst our local melon growers as they strive
to create the perfect melon. Awards are given for the biggest and the six most marketable
melons. The biggest melon is auctioned off to the highest bidder.
Not really up for all this messy watermelon fun? Then be a fan from the
sidelines and cheer on our competitors at ‘The Cage’ bar. For over 18’s only.
FRIDAY NIGHT EVENT
Come and enjoy our free family concert that has something for everyone. Last
festival the McClymonts rocked our stage – who will it be this year? We’ll be
announcing it soon!
POET’S BREAKFAST
Enjoy a hearty bacon and egg breakfast while having a laugh with Australia’s top bush poets.
QUALITY CRAFTS, FASHION & FOOD MARKETS
FAMILY CONCERT
LASER LIGHT SHOW
Join our grand finale as we light up the night sky with complex and colourful
lasers – much like a fireworks show, only BETTER! You’ve got to see it to
believe it!
More than 130 Markets where people travel from all over the countryside to sell their
home-made delicacies, condiments, arts & crafts, clothing and much much more!
MELONFEST.COM.AU
MORE THAN
20,000
FESTIVAL GOERS TO MAKE
THE MELON FESTIVAL THE
BIGGEST EVER EVENT BEING
HOSTED IN THE WESTERN
DOWNS REGION!
CHINCHILLA
LETS GROW TOGETHER
The 2017 Melon Festival held over three big days
on 16-19 February in the rural QLD town of Chinchilla
will be jam-packed with entertainment, thrilling competitions,
sought-after bragging rights opportunities, fun activities and more watermelon
than you can poke a stick at!
This year’s event is shaping up to be our most exciting ever. With numbers
growing year on year, we are expecting more than 20,000 festival- goers to make
the Melon Festival the BIGGEST EVER event being hosted in the Western Downs
region!
ABOUT US...
The Chinchilla Melon Festival is run by a dedicated group of local volunteers who
are passionate about the sustainability and growth of our rural community. The
Chinchilla Melon Festival Association exists to continually bring the community and
visitors alike a bigger, brighter and better festival that stays true to its humble
foundations.
IT ALL BEGAN...
Back in 1994, after years of drought had ravaged both the land and spirits of
our community, the town decided to create a festival that would lift the mood and
unite our region in friendly competition, building a festival around the one thing we
had in abundance – watermelons! From there we created creative and downright
hilarious events and competitions involving carrying, eating, wearing, skiing on,
tossing and whatever else you can imagine doing with watermelons!
OUR MISSION...
To showcase, promote, celebrate, bring together and grow the Chinchilla
and surrounding communities by creating a fun-filled festival every two years
that is relevant and affordable to families and people of all ages.
OUR VISION...
To ensure the sustainability and continued growth of our town and surrounding
communities, and for the Melon Festival to be seen as a vibrant and ‘must attend’
event on people’s calendar.
OUR FESTIVAL-GOERS...
In 2015 the Melon Festival attracted more than 18,000 locals and visitors to
our event. Each festival we experience a substantial growth in numbers, with our
2013 event drawing more than 15,000 festival goers.
FUN MELONFEST FACTS
CHINCHILLA
DID YOU
KNOW?
WATERMELON ISN’T EVEN A FRUIT. THAT’S RIGHT! WATERMELON IS A
VEGETABLE. IT IS RELATED TO CUCUMBERS, PUMPKINS AND SQUASH.
THE CHINCHILLA MELON
FESTIVAL IS VOTED #12 IN THE
150 MUST DO’S IN QLD!
IN 2014, IN EXCESS OF
18,000
PEOPLE FROM AROUND AUSTRALIA
AND OVERSEAS ATTENDED THE
THREE DAY MELON FESTIVAL.
EARLY EXPLORERS
USED WATERMELONS
AS CANTEENS TO
HOLD THEIR
DRINKING WATER
THE FESTIVAL’S FASTEST
GROWING DEMOGRAPHIC IS
18-30 YR OLDS
INCLUDING INTERNATIONAL
BACKPACKERS.
CHINCHILLA IS KNOWN AS
THE ‘MELON CAPITAL OF
AUSTRALIA’
MORE THAN
1,200
VARIETIES OF
WATERMELON
GROWN WORLDWIDE
SURVEY RESULTS SHOW
THAT PREVIOUS FESTIVAL GOERS RATED
THEIR SATISFACTION, ON AVERAGE AS
4.34 OUT OF 5
PARTNERSHIP
OPPORTUNITIES
TAILORED TO YOUR OBJECTIVES
We understand that one size does not fit all when it comes to
partnerships, so we invite you to work with us in tailoring
the perfect solution for your company and objectives.
RIGHTS AND BENEFITS INCLUDE, BUT ARE
NOT LIMITED TO...
national and international media coverage;
social media campaigns;
interactive competitions on the new Melon Festival website;
In depth support from our local and regional media;
highly visible signage placement at key vantage points in and around the Melon
Festival;
staff engagement opportunities to have your volunteers dressed in your corporate
uniform to further promote your brand;
email newsletter campaigns to our festival followers;
and, as with any country town, word of mouth spreads news like wild fire!
MORE THAN 5,700 LIKES ON FACEBOOK
DEMOGRAPHICS
Due to a diverse, fun and interesting program, the Melon Festival continues to build
a local, regional, national and international following, with 65% of festival goers
coming to us from outside the Western Downs region.
In 2017 we are expecting 20,000 people to come and participate in the
competitions and enjoy the festivities. Research we have undertaken of
previous attendees reveals that 65% of people are not local and our fastest
growing demographic is the 18-30 year olds, including international backpackers.
The Grey Nomads also make up a significant proportion of people who come to visit
the Melon Festival every two years. Our biggest demographic is families who come
to watch, participate and celebrate with us.
CHINCHILLA
Every two years in February, the rural Queensland town of
Chinchilla swells to nearly four times its original size and transforms
into a festival like no other!
Our events and competitions receive national and international media coverage and
each and every event, race and competition at this year’s Melon Festival presents your
company with an opportunity to highlight your involvement and share your brand
awareness messages.
We can provide high visibility placement of your company’s signage at agreed places
around the Melon Festival and Main Arena.
We can provide you with opportunities for staff engagement, with your team
working as volunteers to help embed your company’s commitment to our festival.
Undertake valuable research by asking attendees key questions that will give your
company exclusive industry data about the perception of your company and its
products or services.
YOUR BRANDING
OPPORTUNITIES
You can leverage our social media campaigns by having us retweet, post, share
and like your content.
Your content will also be highlighted on the ‘Social Media Wall’ on our new website
using #MelonFest2015.
You can contribute to the ‘Melon Festival Memories’ competition on our new
website where people can post their favourite photos from years gone by using
#MelonFestMemories.
Your company’s involvement highlighted throughout the festival on our huge high
definition video screen.
We will be taking videos all festival long – we’d love to grab you for an impromptu
interview where you can highlight your integral involvement in and support of the
festival in a fun and interactive way. We will publish this on our You Tube Channel.
All media coverage of the festival will highlight your involvement as a key sponsor.
We welcome your ideas to add to or create additional content or competitions on
the Melon Festival website to drive awareness and attendance.
CHINCHILLA
1 2 - 1 5 F E B RU A R Y 2 0 1 5
Our festival Masters of Ceremonies are experienced public speakers who will
ensure that every opportunity to promote your support of the festival is fully
maximised.
Naming rights opportunities are available for certain events, activities and
competitions – where do you want to place your brand?
MELONFEST.COM.AU
THE FESTIVAL
BEGAN IN 1994,
AS A WAY TO LIFT THE SPIRITS OF THE TOWN
AFTER YEARS OF DROUGHT IN THE EARLY 90’S.
WE ARE ABOUT TO HOST THE 12TH FESTIVAL!
IN 2009, THE CHINCHILLA MELON FESTIVAL WON
THE COVETED ‘QUEENSLAND REGIONAL
ACHIEVEMENT & COMMUNITY AWARD FOR
TOURISM EVENT.’
LET’S DISCUSS
THE NEXT STEPS
LOOKING FOR THE
SPONSORSHIP PACKAGES?
You may have noticed that we haven’t included the traditional
sponsorship packages.
There’s nothing traditional about our festival and because we’re serious
about seeking partnerships we, it means that we will work together to find
the best fit for our partners.
UNTIL THEN, KEEP SMILING!
TANIA THORNTON
Secretary
0488 737 060
[email protected]
MELONFEST.COM.AU
CHINCHILLA
“WHERE FUN GROWS ON THE VINE”
TANIA THORNTON
Secretary
0488 737 060
[email protected]
MELONFEST.COM.AU