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Written by Administrator
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Monday, 31 December 2007 |
The Woodford Folk Festival is one of the most magical places at which to celebrate the New Year. Not only does it have a mind-blowing line-up of entertainment but it has that special carnivale ambience in the 20-plus venues and the festival streets – ready-made for a night of fun and frivolity and to share that midnight moment with friends or family.
The festival precinct, which lies in a sheltered hidden valley on the 500-acre custom-made site just outside of the Woodford township, is all spruced up and ready for one of the biggest New Year parties in Australia. With undercover restaurants, bars and venues the party goes on no matter what the weather.
The festive program after dark today includes a Rhythm Festival at the Amphitheatre featuring Babylon Circus, Shooglenifty, Ciircle of Rhythm, Bob Brozman, Mal Webb and Tjupuru. Mia Dyson, Moshav, Te Vaka, The Toothfaeries, The Red Eyes and Miguel play on until 1.45am at The Grande, and San Lazaro, the 9-piece Latin funk band that will keep the festival crowd swaying , hopping and bouncing at the Bazaar until the plug is pulled at 2am.
But one of the most magical moments of the Woodford New Year’s Eve is the now traditional three-minutes silence held at 11-30pm when at the striking of the festival bell the whole festival stops to light candles and reflect upon absent friends and perhaps focus on matters that matter to all of us. It’s a spine-tingling emotional ritual shared with more than 20,000 people throughout the whole site.
After the silence, the festival resumes its former momentum, carrying festivalgoers in a frenzy of fun into the early hours of the first day of 2008. Many manage to stay up to join thousands at the hill-top stage for the very moving and inspirational New Year sunrise ceremony. For those wanting to sing in the New Year with a bit of nostalgia thrown in, there’s an ABBA singalong before midnight and a Beatles singalong after midnight.
While tomorrow (Jan 1) is the final day of the festival, the pace doesn’t slacken. The entertainment program is full, vibrant and varied with all venues firing, and several continuing well into the evening and past midnight. The massive Fire Event, a spectacular closing ceremony in the amphitheatre where the whole festival comes together, is only the start of the evening. The specially-themed Fire Event features a 600-strong choir and hundreds of dancers, plus a huge lantern procession.
The final day of the festival (Jan 1) stars Mal Webb, Shooglenifty, Harry Manx, Mr Percival, The Counterfeit Gypsies, Moshav, Madviolet, Aquapella, and Bernard Carney. It’s also the last chance to see Babylon Circus - one of the wows of Woodford. The Grande finishes up with The Black Market Rhythm Co. while The Palace brings its wonderful circus program to an end with Controlled Falling and The Empire’s vaudeville shows close with Crazy Elf. Putting the final touches to Woodford 2007-08 will be The NEO at the Chai tent and The Red Eyes at the Chameleon, both bands rocking on until 1am.
Tickets for every day of the festival are available on-line at www.woodfordfolkfestival.com. Buying and printing tickets on-line saves money and time. Tickets will also be available at the gate until the 1st January 2008.
FESTIVAL TIP: Organisers recommend that festival day patrons arriving by car take advantage of parking at the Woodford showgounds and catch the free shuttle bus into the festival site.
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Range News 2005 - ON 
