A smaller committee is on board than for the last event two years ago, but Candelo Arts Society secretary Sam Martin said he expects the upcoming festival to run very similarly to previous years. 

Around 100 volunteers have already signed up to help out on the day, and Mr Martin said he was “absolutely stoked” to have their participation.

The Candelo Village Festival usually costs $60,000 to put on, so the committee is reliant on sponsorship and ticket sales to make it happen. 

Mr Martin said an “awesome” response from sponsorship like they had this year means they can continue to attract high-quality acts, such as this year’s headliners of Indigenous singer-songwriter Frank Yamma and folk-pop duo Sweet Jean.

Mr Martin described the program, organised by David Ross McDonald, as a “real mix”, with a diverse selection ranging from Cuban, Iraqi and Latin dance band Azadoota, roots and blues man Richard Perso, vigorous Celtic and gypsy numbers by the Bearded Gypsy Band, the jazz songs of the Jordan C Thomas Band to Irish flutist Nuala Kennedy. 

Bega Valley musicians will also appear on the stages, with world music band Malumba, Kate Burke and Ruth Hazleton, Connor Ross, Ella Rose and Michael Menager set to perform. 

This is in addition to street theatre, comedy acts, the Djaadjawan Dancers and Far South Coast Flamenco. 

There will be the opportunity for any visitors to rock up with their instrument and play at one of the three blackboard venues, located at the Candelo Hotel, Candelo Kameruka Bowling Club and Candelo General Store. 

This year the festival will feature “Candeloha”, a gathering of a dozen local performers to play in the Candelo Church in an acoustic concert which will also be filmed.

Youth program coordinator Rhys Davis is organising a selection of fantastic talent at the Caravan of Wonders – a 1950s caravan with stage out front. 

Spots are still available for any youths who would like to perform, just visit the caravan on the day. 

A cinema screen will be put up around 8.30-11.30pm near the creek, for festival-goers to watch locally made films. 

The Candelo Service Station will become an art gallery, displaying works of local artists. 

There will be fences this time, encircling the main venue, stalls, youth venue and cinema. 

The reason for fences is safety and to sell tickets, as Mr Martin said previously it was much easier for people to sneak in without paying.

While Mr Martin was hoping to clear skies, he said not to worry, the committee has a wet weather strategic plan organised. 

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