Think you’re too old, or too fussy to go to a festival? Think again.
Most Australians associate music festivals with loud music, minimal clothing, and enormous lines for the toilet, but that does not have to be the case.
Woodford Folk Festival, which has been held in Woodford, Queensland from December 27 to January 1 every year since 1994, is a festival that caters to all ages.
Festival director Amanda Jakes says the key to enjoying a festival at any age is to relax and create your own festival experience.
Woodford Folk Festival, one of Australia’s biggest music and arts festivals, gives families and older punters a chance to enjoy live music and camping without the intensity of festivals like Splendour in the Grass or Stereosonic.
“The festival is like a temporary village that celebrates the arts and humanities of our civilisation, there’s so many cultures represented here and so many art forms including spoken word, rock music, orchestral music, I could just go on,” Ms Jackes said.
“Thousands call Woodford home for six days of the year, and you can reunite, reconnect, and create a community.”
Like all music festivals, Woodford is not immune to the elements.
Unpredictable summer weather can put city slickers off the idea of sleeping in a tent for the best part of a week.
So to beat the heat, Ms Jakes shared her best survival tips, and she would know – she has attended 29 of the last 30 Woodford Folk Festivals.
“Bring a hat during the day, there’s nothing worse than being sunburnt,” she warns.
“The must-have is comfortable shoes, I wouldn’t recommend thongs, there’s a lot to see and you don’t want sore feet.
“Just bring the best version of yourself to the festival.”
Woodford has stages ranging in capacity from 50 to the 20,000, with a huge variety of acts for all tastes.
“You can find your own comfort level, whether it’s doing yoga at 6am or dancing to Macedonian gypsies at 11pm,” she said.
Ms Jakes said trying to see everything is a mistake, the key is choosing the acts you what you really want to see and let the rest take care of itself.
While Woodford is not everyone’s cup of tea, with more than 150 music and arts festivals taking place across Australia throughout the year, there is something for everyone.
Just don’t forget to pack the sunscreen.
What to bring
• Comfortable shoes.
• Comfortable shoes.
• A nice big hat.
• Sunscreen.
• A jumper (Australian weather can be unpredictable)
• Forget the snacks, you’ll be tempted by the food stalls anyway!
• Your best dance moves.
• And, of course, friends and family.
