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1st March 2010
The National Folk Festival has been officially recognised as the best festival in
Australia
, taking out the Festivals and Events category at the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards in
Hobart
on Friday night.
National Folk Festival Managing Director Sebastian Flynn said the win confirmed the National Folk Festival has become the ACT’s own ‘national treasure’.
“In many ways, it looks like the rest of
Australia
is finally starting to catch on to one of
Canberra
’s best kept secrets,” he said.
“The National Folk Festival enjoys a strong and loyal following from the music and folk fraternity, but its broader appeal as a festival to be enjoyed by all kinds of people is clearly being recognised,” said Mr Flynn.
Mr Flynn, who has been in the job since February, said the award was a great tribute to the work of previous Managing Director Jared Wilkins as well as the Festival’s dedicated team of Board Members, staff and volunteers.
“The National Folk Festival is somewhat unique in that, perhaps because it encourages such a high level of participation, our employees and volunteers as well as patrons feel such a powerful sense of ownership over the event,” he said
“The National Folk Festival feels very strongly that it’s important to remain in touch with our most faithful supporters,
“But at the same time, continuing to produce a dynamic event with an engaging program of entertainment - including new elements such as The Majestic fringe festival – is a high priority that will ensure the Festival remains viable and as broadly appealing as possible,” said Mr Flynn.
“The festival’s uniqueness lies in it’s ability to remain an in-depth and essentially folk program, whilst also bringing new and diverse elements that carefully balance the broader appeal of the event.”
“We’re very excited about the boost this latest award will bring to our work and the festival’s profile. We look forward to sharing this success with our loyal patrons, supporters, volunteers, artists and partners by celebrating yet another successful and enjoyable event in the first week of April!,” he said.
The National Folk Festival attracts around 50,000 people and contributes approximately $8M to the local economy each year.
This latest accolade is the Festival’s first national award after winning consecutive
Canberra
and Capital Region Tourism Awards in the same category in 2008 and 2009.
The National Folk Festival is on at
Exhibition
Park
in
Canberra
from Thurs 1 – Mon 5 April 2010 and tickets are on sale now with early bird discounts and camping available only until 6 March.
To find out more, visit www.folkfestival.asn.au or phone 02 6262 4792.
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