Woolgoolga is getting ready to spice things up as Curryfest celebrates its 20th birthday!
The organisers are pulling out all the stops for a huge weekend of food, culture, entertainment and community fun.
While the main Curryfest celebration takes over Woolgoolga from 9am to 4pm on Saturday 26 September, this year’s festivities stretch well beyond the main festival day, with events happening across four days.
The celebrations kick off on Thursday 24 September with the first performance of Saltwater Spice, a fabulous new cabaret produced in partnership with Naidu Theatre Company and featuring some well-known local faces. There will be three ticketed performances across the weekend – Thursday and Saturday evenings, followed by a Sunday matinee at 2pm.
On Friday 25 September, grab a picnic rug and head to the Beach Reserve for a free Bollywood Movie night – a lovely way to ease into Curryfest weekend.
Cricket will also be a big part of this year’s celebrations, with a Tri-Nations tournament featuring India, Nepal and Australia at Wiigulga Sports Centre. The tournament runs across Curryfest weekend, culminating in the Grand Final under lights on Saturday evening. Entry to the cricket is free.
Then, of course, there’s the big one!
On Saturday 26 September, Woolgoolga will once again come alive for the main Curryfest festival day, with the sights, sounds, flavours and colour that have made the event such an important part of our town.
There’ll be double the amount of seating under marquees this year, giving festival goers plenty of opportunity to sit back and enjoy a massive stage program featuring performers and cooking demonstrations.
Around the festival precinct there’ll also be pop-up entertainment, an Indian bazaar, turban tying, henna tattoos and – perhaps most importantly for hungry Curryfest fans – more curry stalls than ever before!
Music and Dancing
Curry lunch
Plenty of Entertainment
Curry on
Curryfest remains a family-friendly and affordable day out, with a small admission charge for adults while school-aged children enter free. Sorry pets are not allowed due to food prep regulations.
And getting to Curryfest is becoming easier too. For those travelling from outside Woolgoolga, free bus services will operate from the Urunga, Sawtell, Coffs Harbour and Grafton areas, making it possible to leave the car behind and enjoy the day.
The celebrations continue on Sunday morning with the free Wellness by the Waves yoga event, providing a much more peaceful way to start the final day of festivities.
Art lovers can also visit the Woolgoolga Art Prize exhibition at Woolgoolga Art Gallery in Turon Parade, open daily from 10am to 4pm. Entry is free, with donations welcome.
A festival that gives back
Curryfest isn’t only about putting on a great weekend.
Behind the scenes, the Woolgoolga and Northern Beaches Chamber of Commerce makes a conscious effort to spend locally when organising the festival, using local goods and services wherever possible.
Any profits generated through Curryfest also find their way back into the community, helping support other volunteer organisations and contributing towards local projects.
So whether you come for the curry, culture, cricket, cabaret, Bollywood, art, yoga – or simply to soak up the atmosphere – there are plenty of reasons to be part of Curryfest’s 20th birthday celebrations.
Happy 20th birthday, Curryfest. Here’s to one very spicy celebration!
Tickets for Saltwater Spice, along with bus information, festival programs and further Curryfest details, are available through the Curryfest website – curryfest.com.au
“We’re building towards Curryfest becoming a permanent three-day event,” said Curryfest Committee Chair Pam Fayle. “It’s a fantastic opportunity to draw more visitors to the Coffs Coast, extend their stay, and support the local economy. We’d love to hear from local groups interested in adding events in future years.”
The Chamber of Commerce and event managers Another Tasty Event are curating a dynamic program, including the Cooking Zone, Bhangra dance Stage, Indian bazaar, and of course, plenty of curry stalls.
Article published in Woopi News.
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