Woodford Folk Festival celebrates 30th anniversary

The Woodford Folk Festival is celebrating its 30th birthday with an attendance of more than 120,000 expected over its six days and nights between 27th December and 1st January.

Festival Director and founder Bill Hauritz officially opened the six-day event on Sunday evening, with almost 13,000 attendees braving wet weather.

One of Australia’s largest events, the Woodford Folk Festival is also the largest gathering of artists and musicians in Australia with more than 400 acts perform across its 25 venues. The Festival is also acknowledged as one of the largest ‘folk’ festivals in the world.

The program encompasses the depth and diversity of Australia’s cultural, artistic and social expression with music, dance, cabaret, circus, comedy, workshops, debate, street theatre, films, forums, visual arts, an entire children’s festival and many special presentations including a spectacular fire event on New Year’s Day.

The program attracts a broad demographic including young party-goers, music lovers, families, community leaders, educators, students, entrepreneurs, artists, environmentalists, politicians and retired professionals.  As Hauritz explains “people of all kinds find something to love and be part of at Woodford.”

The Festival’s venues include its 25,000 seat amphitheatre to more intimate experiences, such as visual arts workshops and letter writing.

Speaking at the opening of the event, Woodford Folk Festival General Manager Amanda Jackes stated that in her 29 years of involvement in the Festival she said it was still the people who make her the most proud.

Jackes stated “it's the community that makes Woodford. They're the heart and soul of what Woodford is."

27th December 2014 - SIX DAY WOODFORD FOLK FESTIVAL TO ATTRACT MORE THAN 100,000

14th August 2014 - REPORT SHOWS EVENTS DRIVE REGIONAL TOURISM

28th May 2012 - BACKING FOR CREATIVE FESTIVALS IN REGIONAL AUSTRALIA