Happy Wanderer Festival

Answered by: Mark Foletta - Festival Director

Give us a brief outline of the festival's history: It started with a farm working bee cutting back the Happy Wanderer plant and some songs around the fire. Now it's a music festival run by friends, all passionate about local music and the land. 

What's been your favourite moment from the festival? Definitely the Duck Race. We auction off rubber duckies and race them down the river. So much fun and shenanigans it's hard to keep up. The intimate Bower Stage sets are also very special. 

Who are some of the acts playing this time around? True to our usual style we've got a bit of everything with Didirri, Echo Drama, Immigrant Union, The Senegambian Jazz Band, Super Magic Hats, Hollie Joyce, Hot Wings and Liv Cartledge to name a few.

What makes your festival different to the multitude of other festivals out there? There's an emphasis on sharing the farm and connecting to the land. This is seen in how little rubbish there is at clean-up and even new festival-goers talk about feeling like they've come home.

What's made you keep the stage on the back of a truck? The truck is pretty special to the festival. The old girl is still used to cart hay here on the farm. We've all got a bit of an attachment to her. The bands have, too!

Any tips for first timers heading along? Bring something to share. Condiments always welcome. And even though it's BYO, leave your cans at home. The wine is from grapes grown here on the farm and there's local craft beer on tap.

What are the plans for the festival in the future? As long as we keep attracting the amazing and genuine festivalgoers, bands, artists and creators that have been coming along so far, I think we're on the right track. Come wander with us!

Website link for more info: happywandererfestival.com