Woodford Folk Festival has launched a world-first innovative and ambitious arts camp experience after being forced to cancel its multi-award winning annual festival due to COVID uncertainty, social distancing and travel restrictions.
General Manager Amanda Jackes said two, five-day September school holiday camps, called Bushtime, would offer small-scale Woodfordia experiences with a taste of some live concerts, workshops and environmental education projects. Also a strong program of activities for children were included to cater for the school holidays.
Organisers believe the two five-day Bushtime programs to be the first of their type anywhere in the world. The cost is competitive with the best caravan parks. Last year, just prior to the Woodford festival, organisers launched Lake Gkula (pronounced Gula), the largest purpose built swimming and sustainable recreation lake in the world. It has been the subject of wonderful international recognition.
Woodfordia has developed over the past 26 years as a superb camping ground with shade and excellent facilities. The basic price of Bushtime covers the camping and core events with a selection of priced events (over 80 workshops) on offer as an addition.
“We can curate an entire experience for individuals, couples and families along with food and bars – the numbers will be capped and all inside the limitations imposed by a comprehensive Covid-19 plan,” said Jackes. “If an outbreak threatens Queensland, the events will be cancelled and all tickets will be refunded. People can feel safe.”
Some of the 70 stellar Queensland artists involved in Bushtime are Shellie Morris, Linsey Pollak, Bearfoot, Tenzin Choegyal, Hat Fitz and Cara, The Dreggs, Barleyshakes, Karl S. Williams, Hussy Hicks, Youkali, Company2 and dirtgirl and scrapboy.
“We think this is an incredible offering and our wish is that it will provide a way for musicians and many artists to find hope in an otherwise devastating circumstance,” said Jackes.
“With many of us all so accustomed to attending live performances as part of our normal life, the thought of sitting on a grassed amphitheatre, under the stars experiencing a live concert with my family is something we’re really looking forward to,” added long-term Woodford festival goer Sarah Hillhouse.
Bushtime takes place at Woodfordia from 19 September 2020. For more information, including full program for the two camps, visit: www.woodfordia.org for details.
Image: dirtgirl and scrapboy (supplied)