Kiama turned on a special kind of magic over the weekend - the kind that happens when venues, local partners and community spirit all pull in the same direction.
After the Kiama Jazz and Blues Festival was paused for this year, local venues -supported by and Council and the Kiama Business Network - stepped forward to create the Sounds of Jazz & Blues weekend with a series of crowd-pleasing concerts featuring a string of talented musicians.
The event's mission was to keep energy in the town while backing each other to give locals and visitors something to enjoy and by all measures, it was a stunning success.
Kiama Mayor Cameron McDonald said the way local businesses collaborated, adapted and took on the challenge of hosting the weekend was the real highlight.
"It was fantastic to see the Sounds of Jazz & Blues light up the Kiama local government area over the weekend, with music lovers revelling in the atmosphere created by these wonderful musicians at a variety of locations," Councillor McDonald said.
"A big shout-out to our local venues. They did an amazing job in creating a superb atmosphere which proved very popular with the musicians and the patrons at each venue.
"I loved getting around to the concerts in the Kiama Business Network's Blues Bus."
The fifth annual Kiama Beach Tag tournament was also a hit on the weekend. Kendalls Beach was picture perfect with colour, energy and community everywhere you looked for Saturday's event.
The athletes put on a show, families filled the sidelines, and event organisers worked tirelessly behind the scenes, going to enormous effort to ensure the beach was safe, prepared and welcoming.
The result was a day that felt joyful, inclusive and unmistakably "Kiama".
Council extends sincere thanks to:
- our local venues, who backed each other and kept the music alive.
- KBN, for partnering with Council to run the Blues Bus event shuttle.
- the Kiama Beach Tag organisers, officials and volunteers, whose work ensured a safe, smooth and vibrant event.
- residents and visitors, who showed up, supported local businesses and brought positive energy.
The weekend showed once again that Kiama's strength is its people, and when our town pulls together, wonderful things happen.
