From guitar virtuosos, songs of solidarity and Djiringanj dancers, to late night, raspy voiced impromptu jam sessions in the bar, the Cobargo Folk Festival was yet again more than its name suggests.
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“I keep saying every year it keeps getting better,” festival director Dave Crowden said on Monday.
“The feel of the festival keeps getting better too, everyone just keeps getting happier.”
Judging by the size of the crowd at the festival over the weekend, the event has certainly been growing in popularity over recent years.
“Camping was certainly up this year and estimates on the ticket sales show they were up three to five per cent this year,” Mr Crowden said.
“We are getting close to capacity now I think, we couldn’t fit any more in.”
Being a hard working musician himself, and a member of the group The Figmentz, Mr Crowden understands the hard work put in by the entire team and visiting artists to create an environment everyone can enjoy.
“The Guitar Concert was great, I think you’d be lucky to find a better one anywhere in the world,” he said.
The concert featured Bruce Mathiske, Daniel Champagne, Lloyd Spiegel, Tim Gaze and Miriam Leiberman.
“They just had a pure improvised jam, and everyone commented about how enjoyable it was,” Mr Crowden said.
“They are all such good players without an ego.”
People came from across the country, as well as Europe and North America, to join in on or watch the entertainment.
“Sunday was especially good because everyone was here,” Mr Crowden said.
“The Young Folk were tremendous and had a full house on Saturday and Sunday, we had great feedback about Gina Williams as well, and we had 80 acts in the youth tent this year.”
Expansion saw a number of dance based workshops held in the town of Cobargo itself, and it’s something Mr Crowden wants to promote more in future years.
“We’ll try and advertise that around town more and make it free for something fun to do on a Friday or Saturday night,” he said.