Wacky Woodford

On the Journey

Woodford Folk Festival is an annual ritual for some and a pilgrim for others. This year will be its 25th anniversary and it has grown from humble beginnings as the Maleny Folk Festival where gates opened back on 1st of March 1987. Back then the crowds swelled to 800 to come and enjoy music and performances from the folk community. The event has since moved and held on the annual dates from 27th December to the 1st of January and crowds have grown enormously. In 1994 Woodford delighted 60,000 and last year it saw 110,000 through the gates to experience one of the premium music festivals in the country.

Woodford is situated 80km north of Brisbane, and nestled on 500 acres of lush green bush. The Queensland Folk Festival now owns the old cattle property. One organizer and festival goer, Lars Kunhne, who has been attending since he was a child says, ‘it’s an amazing site, both for me spiritually and physically knowing that its grown to what it is today thanks mainly to the volunteers’.

Last year saw 2800 volunteers, who created 22 music stages to welcome some of the biggest acts on our shores and internationally, like the John Butler trio and Lisa Mitchell. A hippie like town is built which features food from all kinds of nations. Market stalls that offer you anything from alternate medicine to Australian bush plants abound and entertainers walk the dusty paths. You can join in political debates, talk with Tibetan monks or choose from many other activities that are offered. Every year is finished with a final fire event which marks the end to a long travelled journey for some and the start of the New Year for all.

Woodford a Journey- by Luke Spring

Check it out the site
http://www.woodfordfolkfestival.com

Mates of Woodford
friends.woodfordfolkfestival.com/home