General News
9 September, 2020
Folk Festival to go ahead for 2020
The Tablelands Folk Festival is the longest-running folk festival in Queensland and despite COVID, the festival is going ahead for 2020.
The Tablelands Folk Festival is the longest-running folk festival in Queensland and despite COVID, the festival is going ahead for 2020.
Held in the Yungaburra village, it features family entertainment over four days from local musician’s and artisans at a number of different venues.
Festival Director of the Tablelands Folk Festival Michael Hodgkins said that over the years the festival had evolved into one of the most sought after music festivals in Australia for both performers and audience members.
“We inject over 1.5 million dollars into the local economy in three days, so it’s a great event for the Tablelands.”
The first festival in Yungaburra was held in 1981 and Michael said they weren’t even sure if there were going to have a festival this year due to COVID.
“Due to the border closures, we have made this year an all Queensland event,” he said
“We made the decision to go ahead are and next year we will celebrate our 40th birthday.
As well as local performers there will also be workshops, a songwriting competition and a poetry breakfast.
This year there will be seven venues with most events starting at 10am in the morning and performing right through the day and into the night
Mr Hodgkins said there will be a thorough COVID plan in place. “Our plan will encompass all the venues plans that are already in place, plus we have our own plan for the festival,” he said
Some of the entertainment this year includes, Port Douglas-based band Benny and The Clones, Cairns singer-songwriter Tessa Devine and Far North festival favourites and 4 time Bluegrass Golden Guitar finalists, The Hillbilly Goats.
Kaban musician Carinda Christie is one of the performers looking forward to getting back and playing on the stages in Yungaburra over the weekend.
“I’m playing a solo spot as well as two spots as a trio and I’m also running a vocal rhythm guitar workshop on Sunday,” Carinda said.
“I haven’t played the festival for a while, last time it was great so I’m really looking forward to getting back and playing as well as watching the other performers.”
The Tablelands Folk Festival is happening October 23 – 25 and for more information go to https://www.tablelandsfolkfestival.org.au/
