16 May 2018 Alexandra Eildon Marysville Standard, Alexandra VIC (General News) MARYSVILLE will be swinging come October for its famous jazz and blues festival thanks to a funding boost from the state government. Member for Northern Victoria, Jaclyn Symes, recently announced funding support for the Marysville Jazz and Blues Weekend a massive weekend of music and entertainment from Friday, October 19 to Sunday, October 21 which will be headlined by Australian music legends Joe Camilleri and Rene Geyer. The Marysville Jazz and Blues Weekend is a contemporary and traditional jazz and blues festival, with a free concert and entertainment in the park, with food and beverage offerings, hamper and picnic facilities. The event provides a significant economic boost to the town with visitors staying over the weekend to enjoy the best of the area. Were investing in some great events across country Victoria, including the Marysville Jazz and Blues Weekend, so we can attract more visitors, back local jobs and support our local businesses, Ms Symes said. Its events like these that keep our bars, restaurants and hotels busy, and puts Marysville on the map for tourists. The state government helped secure the event through the $20 million Regional Events Fund, which helps rural and regional communities stage and secure events that drive visitation and boost local economies. The government has already supported more than 130 events across regional Victoria and our major new tourism campaign, A Twist At Every Turn, is driving interstate visitation and supporting local jobs and businesses. The budget provides an extra $51.1 million to attract thousands more visitors from interstate and overseas, as part of Visit Victorias work to grow visitor spending to $36.5 billion by 2025, and create thousands of local jobs. This includes an additional $2 million boost to help Regional Tourism Boards (RTBs) and councils grow the local visitor economy and create jobs by attracting new visitors and new events.