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This weekend saw another hugely successful Wingham Akoostik Festival.
Ninety five artists played to an estimated crowd of 2400 across three days.
Numbers were up by at least 20 per cent on last year and organiser Donna Ballard was understandably “wrapped.”
The threat of rain didn’t dampen spirits and a cooler Saturday was quickly followed by a gloriously sunny Sunday.
Twenty one caravans even made it into the showgrounds.
“It was fantastic,” enthused Donna of the whole weekend.
Eight years of tweaking the festival layout saw the two stages sited in the show ring for the first time.
This allowed for better use of the hill and a peripheral view of both stages from the one vantage point.
The “squid” may well have obstructed some of the view but the giant bamboo structure proved a hit with the children.
Not often do such young folk queue so patiently but the opportunity to clamber aboard was too good to miss.
More than 300 people ventured out for the Friday events that included the Indent song writing workshop.
Judged by Music NSW the workshop flexed the creative muscles of 16 lucky youngsters who wrote four original songs.
Donna admits the workshop was the highlight for her on Friday but for many it was hearing the full sound of band Galleri.
This band knows how to fill a stage and is proving to have the correct formula to enchant its audience.
Festival goers raved about the full line up on Friday with all artists delighting and creating a rather hip vibe.
Saturday saw families a plenty with many youngsters returning for their second of three circus performances of the weekend.
This enchanting display is proving to be something special indeed and showcases so well the outer and inner strength of today’s youth.
The Akoostik festival may appear to be about the music but the laid back feel and family friendly atmosphere can see some folk fill a weekend without even turning their eyes towards a stage.
Children were very much a part of the entire weekend with special tents and activities on offer.
There was a sense of safety that permeated the showgrounds and the Akoostik community is a welcoming and warm-hearted one.
Holly Who was undoubtedly the surprise band of the weekend and one to watch for the future.
This high energy band from Newcastle kicked off the Saturday evening headliners and seemed truly humbled to be sharing the stage with some of Australia’s top artists.
Grace Knight played her jazzy set next as the sun went down and sent a fever through many.
Teenage dreams were then remembered when James Reyne rocked up.
Sleeping children shared the mosh pit as swooning mums lived out a teenage fantasy.
James himself may well have come across as a tempestuous diva when initial sound problems threatened his performance but the consummate professional soon delivered the goods.
The man has standards and talent to boot.
His set didn’t disappoint.
The momentum continued on Sunday under a clear blue sky.
For those of us lucky enough to catch the mesmerising adult circus performance from local Circartus troupe there was a true sense of privilege that these ladies had put so much effort into a performance simply for this one weekend.
How lucky are we?
Take heed, if you haven’t been yet, give it a try next year because the Akoostik festival truly is a wonderful weekend in Wingham and if Donna and her 72-strong team of volunteers can bring in more than 2000 paying punters year after year, it’s because they’ve got something good to offer.
Thank yous
The organisers of the Wingham Akoostik Festival would like to thank all those involved in making the festival such a success including, but not limited to: the sponsors of the event; the 72 volunteer helpers as well as the Wingham Show Society, the 95 artists, the audience from near and far, MCs Christy Woodward, Anthony Zanos, Michael Spooner and Helen Knight; Paula Christiansen of Wacky Wax, Circartus and trade vendors and stand out volunteer Ken Hoad.