Coolum’s newest event, Salty Saturdays, presented by Coolum Business and Tourism (CB&T) and Visit Coolum, held their inaugural launch event on Saturday, January 22 in Jack Morgan Park and it was a huge success with 600 people estimated to have ventured down to the park from 2.30-8.30pm.
The free-family event featured kids activities, market stalls, a licensed bar, food stalls, live music and a very laid back beach vibe right in the heart of Coolum.
CB&T President Mark Cameron said that the event was a way to connect local small businesses with the community and activate a little-used part of town.
“We’re so excited to present Salty Saturdays to the Coolum community and it was wonderful to see such a great turnout for the first event. This is a regular, ongoing event that local businesses, community members as well as groups and organisations can come together to be a part of,” Mark Cameron said.
The team at Cartel Music & Events who have over a decade of experience in running markets and events on the Sunshine Coast have been working tirelessly behind the scenes for months to put together a curated event to bring the community together and celebrate Coolum’s unique surf and skate culture.
Lea Bye, Event Director, Cartel Music and Events Event Director Lea Bye said that Jack Morgan Park was a perfect location for a large scale event in Coolum.
“It’s our mission to activate this underutilised space and bring more people to the centre of town and it was an absolute pleasure to see our vision come to life over the weekend.”
Salty Saturdays has been made possible thanks to the generous support of local businesses including Aussie Home Loans Coolum, Richardson & Wrench Coolum, The Point Coolum, Coolum Holidays and local MP for Ninderry Dan Purdie, who was in attendance to officially open the event.
“It’s not only about pulling our community together, it’s about promoting Coolum to Brisbane and the drive market we rely on. It’s been a tough 18 months for our retailers, for our accommodation providers and for our local entertainers. Having this event twice a month where we can bring our local businesses together and we can bring our community together will attract more people to Coolum – that’s what it’s all about,” Mr Purdie said.
More than just a market, Salty Saturdays in Jack Morgan Park is a family-friendly and community focussed event for locals and visitors to come together and celebrate Coolum culture and community! As well as a range of market stalls featuring local artisans and makers, Salty Saturdays offers live music and entertainment, a bar and licensed area and a dedicated ‘Grom Zone’ full of fun activities for kids.
Salty Saturdays is held on the second and fourth Saturday of each month, from 2:30 – 8:30pm. The next Salty Saturdays will be on February 12. For event enquiries, please contact events@coolumbusinessandtourism.com.au.
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Musician John Veloso who entertained the crowd. 
Kids activities were a colourful feature at the event. 
The Salty Saturdays would not happen without the hard work and financial support of major sponsors such as local businesses.