Woy Woy walks backwards

The inaugural "Walking Backwards to Woy Woy" parade was held on Saturday, October 4, as part of the Spike Milligan Festival.

Members of the Milligan family were escorted by the Mayor Robert Bell and SpikeFest chairperson Cr Chris Holstein, despite earlier threats to ban the parade.

Cr Holstein said that the backward walk had not been cancelled, despite reports.

It was always planned that participants "dress back to front and walk forwards" or alternatively " wear a mask on the back of your head", he said.

Cr Holstein said that there was never any intention to ask people to walk backwards.

Leading the walk was a line-up of entertainers including Circus Solarus, Strictly Dixie Jazz Band and Mad Cow Theatre Company.

Festival organiser Cr Chris Holstein said that the festival committee was inundated by enquiries from as far afield as New Zealand and Ireland and were even interviewed by the BBC World Service.

"The world was watching Saturday morning when the inaugural Walking Backwards fun walk kicked off from Woy Woy Public School," he said.

Cr Holstein said that everyone found a creative and safe way to walk backwards, such as wearing their clothes back to front or making a mask to wear on the back of their head.

"It's all part of the Goonish fun at SpikeFest," he said.

The walk started mid-morning from Woy Woy Public School, at the corner of Blackwall and Park Rds, and proceeded to the waterfront where there was entertainment and stalls.

Participants were asked to make a gold coin donation, collected by the Rotary Club of Woy Woy, to go to Central Coast Community Environment Network and Central Coast Mental Health.

Cr Holstein said that residents of Upper Hutt City in New Zealand had their own "walking backwards" event as well.

Merchandise for Spikefest was also released on September 22 and includes t-shirts, embroidered po!o shirts, caps and stubby holders.

All items are on sale at Woy Woy Library up to and including the week of the Festival.

Cr Holstein said that the walking backwards t-shirt will be popular as a collector's item,

There will be sales at both the celebrations on October 4 on the Woy Woy waterfront and also on October 11 at Kibble Park for the World Cup celebrations, where Spikefest will be having workshops for the Australian Cartoonists Association for children.

Cr Holstein said that proceeds of all sales of shirts would go to next year's festival which may include a film festival for aspiring young comedy directors.

Press release, October 3