HAPPY 21st FOR WOODFORD FOLK FESTIVAL

Woodford Folk Festival might be turning 21 this year, but it’s still growing up.

Arts Minister Rod Welford, who officially opens the 2006 Woodford Folk Festival tonight (27 December), said the festival had done much to raise the profile of Queensland as a culturally vibrant state.

“The festival has done a lot, both around Australia and internationally, to put our state on the arts and cultural map,” Mr Welford said.

“About 40 per cent of the visitors to Woodford come from interstate. When they return home they spread the word on how exciting and culturally diverse today’s Queensland is.

“Our Government is proud to be a major supporter of the Woodford Folk Festival.

“Over the last 10 years, we have provided about $2.6 million to the Woodford Folk Festival for land acquisition, site development, and project and operational funding.

“The festival also makes a significant economic contribution to the Woodford and SunshineCoast areas.”

Over the next six days and six nights (Wednesday 27 December to Monday 1 January 2007), the festival will present more than 2000 performers and 400 events.

This includes concerts, dances, workshops, forums, street theatre, writers’ panels, a film festival, a comedy session, acoustic jams, social dialogue and debate, an entire children’s festival, late night cabarets and special events, including a spectacular fire event.

“Festivals, like the Woodford Folk Festival, are now well and truly part of Queensland’s arts and cultural landscape,” Mr Welford said.

“They allow Queenslanders to celebrate their cultural identities, create a platform for showcasing local production and emerging talent, and provide local communities and visitors with the opportunity to enjoy and experience world-class entertainment and performance.”

Media contact: Marnie Stitz on 3237 1000 or 0419 734 985