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The future of the Grampians Music Festival could be under threat without a spike in ticket sales for this years festival. Festival director Carly Flecknoe said a number of factors had contributed to a decrease in ticket sales for this year's festival in Halls Gap. "The bushfires have made people very nervous and the Grampians seem to be synonymous with bushfire," she said. "A few other festival were impacted and cancelled (during the summer fire season) as well. "We were hoping to see ticket sales climb after the Christmas and New Year's period but they didn't. That was the same time we were seeing images of what was happening in Gippsland and New South Wales." If the festival's costs fail break-even this year, next year's festival may be left in limbo. "Our biggest difficulty is we are starting at a low base point," Ms Flecknoe said. "We may see a massive spike in the final week of sales. "We are looking to break-even so 2021 can move forward and are doing everything we can to let people know it's safe. The forecast is for 25 degrees, which will be magic. Ms Flecknoe said the festival's committee was expecting about 1200 people attend this year's event. Last year about 1000 people attended the festival. "About 700 people would give (the festival) a break-even (result)," Ms Flecknoe said. "The hardest thing for us is we are a committee of volunteers. The invoices still need to be paid and unfortunately it may come out of the pockets of the committee and (2021) may be left to rely on sponsorships and grants." Ms Flecknoe said the influx of people into Hall Gap, where the festival is held, is important for the town's economy. "We intentionally made the decision to have the camping away from the festival, so people spend money in town," she said. "If we do miss out next year, that does leave a hole in (the Halls Gap) economy in February. Almost 20 artists, led by Julia Jacklin, will arrive in Halls Gap for the festival on February 28 and 29. Now in its fourth year, the festival's line-up also includes Ecca Vandal, These New South Whales, DRMNGNOW with Bendigo's Yergurl also set to perform. Jacklin recently perform with Lana Del Ray in a duet that went viral while her songwriting skills continue to go from strength to strength. "Our line-ups have been going from strength to strength since we started," Ms Flecknoe said. "Our production manager and I have great relationship and she has pulled a great line up together this year." The event will also showcase the regional and boutique food and beverage vendors while a range of markets will also set up shop. The 2020 Grampians Music Festival is from noon to 11.30pm on Friday, February 28 and Saturday, February 29 at Halls Gap, Victoria A two-day pass costs $169, a Friday pass is $89 and a Saturday pass is $110. Patrons can purchase a two-night camping pass for $30 and get unlimited use of the shuttle bus for $15. A two-day car park pass is $15. Prices do not include booking fees.
The future of the Grampians Music Festival could be under threat without a spike in ticket sales for this years festival.
Festival director Carly Flecknoe said a number of factors had contributed to a decrease in ticket sales for this year's festival in Halls Gap.
"The bushfires have made people very nervous and the Grampians seem to be synonymous with bushfire," she said. "A few other festival were impacted and cancelled (during the summer fire season) as well.
"We were hoping to see ticket sales climb after the Christmas and New Year's period but they didn't. That was the same time we were seeing images of what was happening in Gippsland and New South Wales."
If the festival's costs fail break-even this year, next year's festival may be left in limbo.
"Our biggest difficulty is we are starting at a low base point," Ms Flecknoe said. "We may see a massive spike in the final week of sales.
"We are looking to break-even so 2021 can move forward and are doing everything we can to let people know it's safe. The forecast is for 25 degrees, which will be magic.
Ms Flecknoe said the festival's committee was expecting about 1200 people attend this year's event. Last year about 1000 people attended the festival.
"About 700 people would give (the festival) a break-even (result)," Ms Flecknoe said.
"The hardest thing for us is we are a committee of volunteers. The invoices still need to be paid and unfortunately it may come out of the pockets of the committee and (2021) may be left to rely on sponsorships and grants."
Ms Flecknoe said the influx of people into Hall Gap, where the festival is held, is important for the town's economy.
"We intentionally made the decision to have the camping away from the festival, so people spend money in town," she said. "If we do miss out next year, that does leave a hole in (the Halls Gap) economy in February.
Almost 20 artists, led by Julia Jacklin, will arrive in Halls Gap for the festival on February 28 and 29.
Now in its fourth year, the festival's line-up also includes Ecca Vandal, These New South Whales, DRMNGNOW with Bendigo's Yergurl also set to perform.
Jacklin recently perform with Lana Del Ray in a duet that went viral while her songwriting skills continue to go from strength to strength.
"Our line-ups have been going from strength to strength since we started," Ms Flecknoe said. "Our production manager and I have great relationship and she has pulled a great line up together this year."
The event will also showcase the regional and boutique food and beverage vendors while a range of markets will also set up shop.
The 2020 Grampians Music Festival is from noon to 11.30pm on Friday, February 28 and Saturday, February 29 at Halls Gap, Victoria
A two-day pass costs $169, a Friday pass is $89 and a Saturday pass is $110. Patrons can purchase a two-night camping pass for $30 and get unlimited use of the shuttle bus for $15. A two-day car park pass is $15. Prices do not include booking fees.
