A program packed with top class international acts and great favourites from the Australian music scene has organisers predicting a big attendance at the 21st Cobargo Folk Festival.
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Held at the Cobargo Showground from February 26-28, organisers have improved facilities at the site – including a new shower and toilet block – for the many who camp during the festival.
“We’re delighted to have nine international acts at this year’s festival, including the Rambling Boys from Ireland, the East Pointers from Canada, Beth Patterson from the US and, an old favourite, Vin Garbutt from the UK,” the festival’s artistic director Dave Crowden said.
“We are lucky this year that a lot of the major festivals, like Port Fairy and the National Folk Festival, fall within a few weeks of Cobargo, allowing us to be the first to show off some of these acts.”
Mr Crowden said the festival also had a great reputation among Australian performers, with many applying to come back year after year.
“It will be great to see an iconic band like the Backsliders put on an acoustic set and also to welcome former Warumpi band frontman Neil Murray, who will also be working with some of the local Yuin Community on his visit here as well as local favourite Daniel Champagne,” he said.
The importance of the festival to the regional economy, estimated at close to $1million last year, has been recognised by the NSW government with a grant from Destination NSW to help promote the festival and build its recognition in areas outside the Bega Valley.
As part of this, the festival held a well-attended launch at Smiths’ Bookshop in Canberra on January 29, featuring local performer Mike Martin along with fiddler Lindsay Martin and Canberra band Doctor Stovepipe.
The festival’s new executive director Zena Armstrong said while it was important that the festival did not get too big and lose its friendly intimacy, it was also good for others to know that the region has more than just dairy farms, beaches and cafes.
“We want to build on our reputation as a region for excellence in music and the arts, all integrated and thriving in a great rural community,” she said.
For tickets and more information visit www.cobargofolkfestival.com.au.