Future secured for Queensland’s Woodford Folk Festival

The future of the Woodford Folk Festival has been secured through the Queensland Government's ongoing backing, with investment totalling $4 million over four years.

The Woodford Folk Festival traditionally offers a mix of music, dance, circus, films, street theatre, visual arts, creative workshops, exhibitions, talks, debates, children’s activities, late night cabarets and First Nations arts with a focus on the traditions, customs and cultures of Queensland’s Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples

At its peak, Woodfordia creates over 2,500 employment opportunities for artists and arts workers and contributes $29 million in economic impact to the Queensland economy each year

Queensland Deputy Premier Steven Miles notes “the annual Woodford Folk Festival, presented by Woodfordia, holds a special place in the hearts of Queenslanders.

“I have many great memories seeing local, interstate and international performances at Woodford. It’s a great festival that has delivered ongoing social, cultural and economic benefits to Queensland.

“Our $4 million investment will support Woodfordia in its commitment to re-establish the full-sized annual festival in 2022, following impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Queensland Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch said the new investment would ensure the homegrown event, first established in 1987, could again present an expansive program with key economic and employment outcomes.

Minister Enoch advised “as one of the nation’s signature arts and cultural events, Woodford attracted more than 120,000 attendees and participants each year.

“The annual festival presents more than 2000 individual events in more than 30 venues set up across the Woodfordia site, supporting local jobs, boosting tourist expenditure and offering an authentic Queensland experience.”

Woodfordia has navigated the impact of COVID by skilfully reimagining its delivery to create Bushtime, a unique camping and arts experience this year.

Woodford Festival Founder and Director Bill Hauritz added “the impact of this funding on our organisation and our events, primarily the Woodford Folk Festival, is beyond significant.

“This funding will enable the Woodford Folk Festival to be rebuilt after two years absence and to flourish over the coming years, giving thousands of artists and arts workers vital employment and tens of thousands of patrons an opportunity to embrace and engage with the magic of our cultural expression.”

The Woodford Folk Festival is not being staged this year but will return in 2022/23. Those involved with the Festival are putting their creative energies into Brisbane's Bushtime event which is being held from 27th December 2021 to 1st January 2022.

Images courtesy Woodford Folk Festival