Elsie Lange
Woodend will soon welcome back one of the region’s most treasured events.
The Woodend Winter Arts Festival, running from June 10-13, will kick off with a fireworks display – happening for the first time since 2019.
The free fireworks event will include a live performance from the acclaimed vocal ensemble, The Melbourne Octet, with food vans to provide yummy meals to attendees.
Festival artistic director and founder Jacqueline Ogeil said organisers were excited to welcome visitors from near and far to Woodend for the program.
“In addition to welcoming two world-class ensembles and high profile guest speakers to Woodend during the festival, a highlight will definitely be our fireworks display on the Friday night,” Ms Ogeil said.
“Much-loved by the community, it promises to be a fun night out for all ages.”
Other highlights of the festival include a concert from the Australian Romantic Classic Orchestra performing Schubert’s Octet and award-winning documentary filmmaker Michael Dillon will present his film ‘A Little Bit Mongolian’.
There will also be a discussion with Sarah Krasnostein about her recent Quarterly Essay ‘Not Waving, Drowning’ and an a-capella performance by Ensemble Gombert.
The 2022 event will be run at reduced capacity in light of the ongoing Covid-19 situation, with one of the main festival hubs, St Ambrose Hall, closed for renovations.
The festival will be back up and running at full capacity in 2023.
