Despite the wet forecast, organisers of the Spirit of the Land Festival are ploughing ahead. Photo: SOTL.
Rain, hail or shine, organisers of Lockhart’s Spirit of the Land Festival are determined to see the unique event go ahead.
“The changing weather is kind of relevant in one way and ironic in another,” says festival president Peter Veneris as he contemplates the wet forecast.
“The festival began during one of the worst droughts in history as a celebration of the people that live and work on the land.
“It’s a bit ironic now that we’re in quite the opposite of a drought!”
The Spirit of the Land Festival began in 2006 to honour the inner strength, courage and determination of the community as they battled through yet another dry year.
After two years in the COVID-19 wilderness, Peter says they are watching the skies but it will take a lot of rain to stop them.
“We need to demonstrate the community’s resilience again I think and try and bring the festival back to the community,” he says.
The festival was forged in drought so it’s hoped they can sail through flood. Photo: SOTL.
The festival has claimed its place in the Australian cultural landscape as the home of the $10,000 National Farm Art Sculpture Award.
Each year, artists exhibit an extraordinary collection of sculptures fashioned from recycled metal, bits and pieces of farm machinery and natural elements.
“The biggest impact for us with the rain will be in the setting up days as we put the sculpture exhibitions up,” says Peter.
“The sculptures are obviously made of metal so the weather’s not going to hurt them. It’s really more just about the convenience of people coming to view the exhibition.
“It is on a grassy area. So that’s something we’re mindful of and just monitoring.”
The Sydney Stilt Walkers will be bringing a splash of colour to the event. Photo: Sydney Stilt Walkers.
But beyond the sculptures, the festival promises a busy weekend of family entertainment with fine art, photography, market stalls and food and wine.
“We close off the main street where the market stalls are all set up, so that’s obviously a nice, sealed road with good drainage,” Peter says.
“So if it’s wet, that’s not an issue and all the fine arts and photography exhibitions are indoors.”
While they wait and see on Saturday’s fireworks by the lagoon, Peter says the flower and butterfly stilt walkers will bring a unique splash of colour this year.
“It’s really a result of some funding we received from the New South Wales Government for roving performers,” he says.
“The stilt walkers will be doing a session Saturday morning in their butterfly and flower costumes.”
While the forecast for Friday is for heavy rain, it’s hoped that things will ease into the weekend.
“We’re obviously keeping an eye on the forecast and the weather all the time,” Peter says.
“But to celebrate the main day of the festival I think weather wise it’s actually looking pretty good.”
To learn more and stay updated, visit the Spirit of the Land Festival’s Facebook page here.
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