On Saturday 13th October the award-winning Spirit of Bundaberg Festival returns even bigger and better to kick off celebrations for Bundaberg Rum's 130th birthday - and all Bundaberg Rum and food fans are invited.

Located on the grounds of the iconic Bundaberg Rum Distillery, the family friendly festival will serve up tasty dishes, cocktails and the best in local produce, with more than a dozen rum-inspired food vendors.

Crowds will be entertained as local music talent 'battle it out' for a major prize of $5k in the Battle of the Sounds competition, which is sure to get everyone into the festival spirit. All attendees are also invited to dress as their favourite 'Aussie legend', with the chance to win some great Bundaberg Rum prizes.

Festival goers will be the first in the country to get their hands on the limited-edition Bundaberg Rum Small Batch Spiced 130th birthday edition, which is sure to add an extra element of spice to an already pumping day.

“130 years making Australia's favourite rum is another legendary milestone to be celebrated here at the Distillery. We're so proud of Bundaberg as a region, and this festival is our way of thanking the community and our loyal Bundaberg Rum fans for their ongoing support.”

“The limited edition 130th birthday Bundaberg Rum Small Batch Spiced will be available to those at the festival on the day, and Bundaberg Rum Small Batch Spiced will then be released nationwide following the festival. There are plenty of other Australian legends, aside from our rum, and we can't wait to bring them all together at what has been voted the Best Distillery Event in the World*” says Duncan Littler, Senior Brand Manager for Bundaberg Rum.

Showcasing the best of the local food scene, festival goers will enjoy more than a dozen rum-inspired food stalls with dishes such as pork belly glazed in Bundaberg Rum, Bundaberg Rum spiced sausages, tacos with rum dipping sauce and Dutch pancakes with Salted Caramel Rum Sauce for a deliciously sweet hit.

For those with more of an interest in the world famous locally made rum, the distillery store will also be open with exclusive Bundaberg Rum releases found only at the cellar door.

Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones said the Spirit of Bundaberg Festival provided a unique experience for visitors – having been voted The World's Best Distillery Event at the 2016 and 2018 Distillery Experience Awards.

“The Spirit of Bundaberg Festival has become an important drawcard for visitors and labelled Australia's biggest and best food and rum festival,” Ms Jones said. “Bundaberg is well-known for outstanding produce, the Great Barrier Reef and native wildlife experiences. Events like this help us to show the best of what Bundaberg has to offer.”

The Spirit of Bundaberg Festival will open to the public with free entry from 10am to 5pm.

For more information visit: www.bundabergrum.com.au/sobf.

ENDS

For any media enquiries, please contact Leo Burnett's PR team:
Joanna King | 0403 187 960 | joanna.king@leoburnett.com.au

*The Spirit of Bundaberg Festival was voted the World's Best Distillery Event at the Distillery Challenge Awards in London in 2016 and 2018.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

Australia's biggest rum and food festival is back! Located on the grounds of the iconic Bundaberg Rum Distillery, and featuring rum-inspired delicious food, rum, rum cocktails, the best in local music and the latest Bundaberg Rum release to celebrate 130 legendary years. Free entry and parking!
When: 10am to 5pm, Saturday 13 October, 2018
Where: Bundaberg Rum Distillery, Hills St, Bundaberg East, QLD 4670
Ticket price and restrictions: Free entry and families welcome – some areas over 18s only
Website: www.bundabergrum.com.au/sobf

The Bundaberg Rum Festival forms part of Crush Festival's 10-day curated program of new and innovative arts projects and performances, running from 5 - 14 October.

NOTES TO EDITORS

ABOUT THE BUNDABERG RUM DISTILLERY

The Bundaberg Rum Distillery is a unique, authentically Australian icon unlike any other. For more than 130 years the Bundaberg Rum Distillery has proudly created the smooth golden liquor made from the finest sugar cane in tropical Queensland, surviving two fires and two floods as an enduring testament to the Australian spirit.

Whether you're a rum enthusiast or planning a weekend away, the Bundaberg Rum Distillery, just four hours north of Brisbane airport, offers guests an unforgettable and one of a kind distillery experience.

Hills Street, Bundaberg QLD 4670 T: +61 7 4131 2999 W: www.bundabergrum.com.au
Retail opening hours: Mon-Fri: 10am – 5pm Sat- Sun and Public Holidays: 10am – 4pm

ABOUT BUNDABERG SMALL BATCH SPICED

Bundaberg Small Batch Spiced celebrates 13 decades of craftsmanship with notes of 13 different spices, fruit nectars and citrus zest for a perfectly balanced and intricately complex spiced rum.

The 130th birthday limited edition of the Bundaberg Small Batch Spiced rum (700ml, 40% ABV) will be available while stocks last at the Bundaberg Distillery Store from 13th October 2018 and from selected duty-free outlets at a later date.

Bundaberg Small Batch Spiced (700ml, 40% ABV) will be available at the Bundaberg Distillery Store from 13th October then via the online webstore and nationwide from October 15th for RRP $69.95.

Enjoy neat, over ice or mix with Bundaberg Ginger Beer and a slice of lime for a deliciously refreshing Dark & Stormy