Woodford Folk Festival announces strong start to 30th event

The Woodford Folk Festival in Queensland today reported record early ticket sales not experienced before by the event. This year it runs between December 27 to January 1.

The festival has been growing in attendance in recent years. Figures for 2014/15 showed that it drew 126,122 patrons (a 3% rise from the previous year) to the Woodfordia site to see 500 acts and pumped $18 million into the local economy. Two couples were reportedly so inspired by the atmosphere they decided to get married on-site.

During the duration of the festival, Woodfordia was the 67th largest town in Australia. In April it took out Gold at the Australian Tourism Awards.

“We are certainly encouraged by the sales,” says Festival Director Bill Hauritz.“It’s our 30th and it’s shaping up really well.”

Hauritz stresses that a growth in attendance would not lead to overcrowding. “We’ve been planning for growth, and with that in mind, have cleared and prepared pine plantation on the property which will create much more camping space. We’ll be planting the areas with endemic rain forest trees as we’ve done previously throughout Woodfordia. There’ll be plenty of space.”

Organisers attribute early ticket sales to the recent success of the organisation’s second major event, The Planting, held in June, which also achieved record attendance with almost a 60% increase.

Woodford Folk also launched its poster and theme. Designed for the eighth year by artist Gavin Ryan (who’s now joined the festival full time as its artist-in-residence), it tells the story of the festival.

“The poster is our blueprint,” explains Hauritz. “It encapsulates our direction for the festival this year. It represents much of what has inspired our producers, directors and organisers who contribute to the event’s creative themes and stories.

“But it’s not a poster you see in too many shop windows. This artwork belongs in people’s homes – it’s beautifully detailed and tells many stories if you look closely. People tell us how much they love them.”

The festival’s 30th anniversary programme is launched on October 17.