Camperdown has lost its rockabilly festival along with the financial windfall it injects into the town’s economy after its organiser pulled the pin on the event.
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After nine years, founder and promoter Arthur Matsakos cited a lack of local support as the reason for the Camperdown Cruise Rockabilly Festival’s demise.
The four-day international musical festival featuring a classic car show, dance competitions, stalls and fashion parades brought thousands of people to the region.
“The festival brought in over a million dollars annually to the Camperdown district and for many local businesses, the Cruise weekend was their best trading weekend of the year,” Mr Matsakos said.
“The Camperdown Cruise grew to become known all over the world as the best festival of its type in Australia.”
Mr Matsakos said that while there had been a lot of support from the Corangamite Shire, police, various businesses and a loyal group of volunteers, there was opposition or lack of interest from some businesses and groups.
He said he was frustrated with locals wanting free access and businesses not prepared to sponsor it even though they benefited from it.
Mr Matsakos said that the festival had put him in debt three years in a row – $12,000 this year, $22,000 in 2015 and about $15,000 in 2014.
He said he had to sell one of his cars to help company Rockabilly King Productions cover the costs of the 2015 festival. The council then cut his budget by $10,000 for the 2016 festival and, despite making substantial cuts to the event, a $12,000 bill remained, Mr Matsakos said.
The council was asked to help to pay the bill, but he said the request was knocked back last week. “It’s sad for me. It’s sad for a lot of people, but I have to be realistic. I can’t just keep it on just because it’s good for the town,” he said.
He informed the council of his decision late last week.
Corangamite Shire councillor Ruth Gstrein said it was disappointing news.
“The Cruise, without a doubt, brought a lot of people to Camperdown and it was an excellent weekend for our retailers and particularly accommodation providers,” Cr Gstrein said.
“Apart from anything else, the vibe in the town and the dancing and the stalls and the music was just amazing.
“I was just so impressed by how the festival had grown and it will be a real loss for our town.”
Mr Matsakos will now focus on his new festival, The Shepparton Shake Out.
