Latest news with #MajorEvents
West Australian
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- West Australian
Can-do boat crews make a splash at Beer Can Regatta
Boat race crews with a can-do attitude have battled it out at the famed beachside Beer Can Regatta, now in its 51st year. Thousands of people gathered at Mindil Beach in Darwin on Sunday for sand and sea competitions culminating in the free-for-all Battle for Mindil between determined beer-can boat crews. The regatta began in 1974 as a clean-up initiative featuring 63 homemade boats and some 22,000 spectators - about half Darwin's population at the time. An Australian army team won one of the key boat races in 2024 but this year wants to win the main event, the Battle for Mindil, in which crews battle it out with water pistols, flour bombs and boat ramming. Vittoria Vitiello of the 1st Combat Engineer Regiment says this year they aim to win the battle for "bragging rights". "Last year we turned someone's boat over so that was lots of fun," the team leader said. "It's what Darwin is all about - being a bit silly and getting things down." The 2025 battle features hidden underwater treasure, which the tacked-together tinnie crews have to find and get back to shore without having it seized. Other makeshift boats also feature in the regatta, including ones made from large plastic water containers and cardboard milk cartons. NT Tourism and Major Events Minister Marie-Clare Boothby said the regatta celebrated the territory's unique lifestyle and was all about creativity, sustainability and having fun. Funds raised at the event go to local community groups.
Perth Now
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Can-do boat crews make a splash at Beer Can Regatta
Boat race crews with a can-do attitude have battled it out at the famed beachside Beer Can Regatta, now in its 51st year. Thousands of people gathered at Mindil Beach in Darwin on Sunday for sand and sea competitions culminating in the free-for-all Battle for Mindil between determined beer-can boat crews. The regatta began in 1974 as a clean-up initiative featuring 63 homemade boats and some 22,000 spectators - about half Darwin's population at the time. An Australian army team won one of the key boat races in 2024 but this year wants to win the main event, the Battle for Mindil, in which crews battle it out with water pistols, flour bombs and boat ramming. Vittoria Vitiello of the 1st Combat Engineer Regiment says this year they aim to win the battle for "bragging rights". "Last year we turned someone's boat over so that was lots of fun," the team leader said. "It's what Darwin is all about - being a bit silly and getting things down." The 2025 battle features hidden underwater treasure, which the tacked-together tinnie crews have to find and get back to shore without having it seized. Other makeshift boats also feature in the regatta, including ones made from large plastic water containers and cardboard milk cartons. NT Tourism and Major Events Minister Marie-Clare Boothby said the regatta celebrated the territory's unique lifestyle and was all about creativity, sustainability and having fun. Funds raised at the event go to local community groups.
Axios
25-03-2025
- Business
- Axios
What Charlotte needs for a successful CIAA bid
Charlotte leaders are optimistic about bringing back the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association's Men's and Women's Basketball Tournament for 2028 through 2030 — but locking down the Spectrum Center as the sole venue is key to the deal. Why it matters: Tourism officials told Charlotte City Council on Monday night that the CIAA prefers to host the tournament entirely at Spectrum Center, rather than splitting rounds between there and Bojangles Coliseum. Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority CEO Steve Bagwell said the CIAA wants to be in the heart of Uptown, where it's walkable and centralized. Ideally, the Spectrum Center would be a hub — not just for games, but for step shows, luncheons, day parties and receptions in its newly renovated spaces. Yes, but: CRVA has not confirmed whether the exclusive use of Spectrum Center is possible. The arena's schedule would need to accommodate the NBA and other events, including the ACC men's championship in 2028. CRVA must finalize its bid proposal to submit to the CIAA by April 15. Another potential hiccup: CIAA's request for proposals asks for bids covering 2027 through 2029, but Spectrum Center is already hosting the ACC women's basketball tournament in 2027. "I've had informal sidebar communications with the league about adjusting that time frame a bit (to host in 2028)," says Mike Butts, CRVA executive director. "I believe they are open to that." Catch up quick: Charlotte hosted the CIAA tournament for 15 years, from 2006 to 2020, generating $650 million in economic impact, CRVA says. The city lost its bid to Baltimore for the 2021 tournament. In 2019, the last year before COVID, the tournament's economic splash was $43.7 million. Zoom out: Charlotte is one of 10 cities invited to bid on the CIAA, but Baltimore and Charlotte are the only known respondents. Charlotte notified the league in January of its intent to bid. In Baltimore, the 2024 tournament boasts $32.5 million in economic impact and 43,000 fans. Tourism leaders say Charlotte is well positioned geographically to host this event, with eight CIAA-member schools across the Carolinas, helping to ensure a healthy attendance. Between the lines: The CIAA's request for proposals makes some strong requests, including guaranteed hotel room rates of $125 for teams, $200 for staff and $225 for fans. "The hotels are responding at different levels, some within and some not," Butts said. "These rates are in the range that they paid when they were here before." It also seeks a minimum commitment of $1.5 million for student scholarships. CRVA plans to invest $1 million to help advance the bid and hopes to achieve funding through the NC Commerce's Major Events, Games, & Attractions Fun. It's looking to the corporate community to fundraise for the scholarships. What they're saying: Council Member Ed Driggs, while he said he's "generally supportive," raised questions about public safety. "In the old days, the event was fun," Driggs said. "But we have to acknowledge that in recent years, there has been another element. ... There have been incidents which, I think, concerned the public. Council Member Malcolm Graham responded that past problematic events were not CIAA-sanctioned. The tournament is concerned about protecting its image, too. The other side: Baltimore has a strong case to remain the host. The CIAA has called Baltimore the "perfect destination," citing its high Black population and proud amplification of Black culture.
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
NC residents bet more than $6 billion in first year of legalized mobile gambling
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — North Carolinians bet around $6.1 billion of their own money in the first year of mobile sports betting legalization. With an 18% tax on gross wagering revenue, the billions of dollars wagered brought in more than $128 million in estimated tax revenue from gambling applications through February. 'It's absolutely incredible,' said Rep. Zack Hawkins, who was one of the primary sponsors. 'Mainly managed a lot of where the revenue went to help make sure that all the dollars that we knew were coming could go to help best support other areas across the state.' Per state law, $2 million of sports gambling revenue goes to benefit the Department of Health and Human Services for gambling addiction treatment and education programs. After sports betting launched in March, DHHS saw a spike in calls to the problem gambling hotline, jumping from 895 in 2023 to nearly 1,300 last year. There was also an 89 call jump from February to March before and after the rollout. $1 million each year also benefits North Carolina Amateur Sports to help youth sports programs. According to the group's president, they've been awarded more than $700,000, with some of that funding benefitting schools and parks and recreation departments directly impacted by Hurricane Helene. 'They had to completely rebuild everything after they left. To know that the revenue put in place, the revenue sharing that we put in place was able to help, just lets you know that we're doing the right thing,' Hawkins said. $1 million each year also benefits the North Carolina Youth Outdoor Engagement Commission. Additional funds assist state universities and the new Major Events, Games and Attractions fund. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
