SUNSUPER RIVERFIRE RETURNS TO LIGHT UP BRISBANE IN SEPTEMBER

All eyes will be on Brisbane skies when Sunsuper Riverfire makes a dazzling return to the river city on Saturday 25^th September 2021 as the grand finale for the popular Brisbane Festival.

Sunsuper Riverfire is a cherished highlight of the Brisbane Festival program which fills the city with a wide variety of art, music, dance and theatre events for most of September.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the return of Sunsuper Riverfire will once again captivate and delight spectators who cram every vantage point along the city reaches of the Brisbane River.

“It’s a signature, stand-out event for Brisbane which has everyone talking," the Premier said.

“A wonderful, a dazzling night of nights that I and 500,000 spectators so look forward to every year.

“As well as those gazing skywards outdoors, Channel Nines live telecast of the fireworks spectacular always attracts over 250,000 viewers.

“The Fireworks and the Brisbane Festival are wonderful ways to celebrate the return of Spring.

“Sadly, last year the impacts of COVID-19 forced the fireworks cancellation although it was replaced by a laser and light extravaganza.

“Now the fireworks can return thanks to all the hard work Queenslanders have done responding to the pandemic.

“Lasting for more than 20 minutes Sunsuper Riverfire with its own musical soundtrack has firmly established itself as Australia’s longest and spectacular fireworks display.

“Our government backs Brisbane Festival with over $19 million in funding for 2020- 2023 as part of our commitment to support arts and culture in this state, and I look forward to seeing what they deliver again this year."

Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch said the return of Sunsuper Riverfire will put a smile on so many faces.

“People can start planning now to secure a prime position along the riverside for one of Brisbane’s favourite nights," Minister Enoch said.

“Depending on operational requirements the RAAF will also showcase its airpower capabilities as in previous years, with 2021 marking its Centenary.

“Brisbane Festival 2021 will be a time to celebrate all things Queensland, showcase our home-grown talent and help spread some joy through the power of the arts.

“This year the Palaszczuk Government is also providing a $350,000 funding boost to help bring Street Serenades back, following its success last year.

“This program took art to the people, filling streets, paths, cul-de-sacs and businesses with live performances. Almost 400 local artists and arts workers performed across Brisbane suburbs, and this year we are providing funding to help Brisbane Festival build on this and deliver the new initiative: Street Serenades: At Our Place.

“The new program will feature a series of 64 creative arts workshops in collaboration with eight neighbourhood and community centres across Brisbane.

“Last year’s festival provided employment for more than a 1000 artists and arts workers, while demonstrating the arts community’s on-going creativity in the face of adversity and highlighted the role of the arts in connecting communities.

“The arts are key part of our plan for economic recovery contributing $8.5 billion into the state’s economy and supporting 92,000 jobs for Queenslanders."

Prior to the COVID pandemic the Brisbane Festival contributed a $46 million dollar spend for the city’s economy.

The Brisbane Festival is an on-going initiative of the Queensland Government and the Brisbane City Council.

ENDS

Media Contact - Pam Frost – 0437 859 987