Woytopia to be held again in October
Woy Woy's sustainable living festival, Woytopia, will be held at Woy Woy South Public School on Sunday, October 14.
The Woytopia festival celebrates sustainable living on the Woy Woy Peninsula and focuses on positive, practical eco-living initiatives such as; saving energy, keeping chooks and growing organic food.
Woytopia was started by the Peninsula Environment Group, a local non-profit incorporated association.
"With many of our members having young children, we wanted to create a great family day that also celebrated the beautiful place we live in, hence the name," said group president Ms Elizabeth Gordon.
"We hoped the festival would help build a stronger sense of community by bringing people together, while offering a more artistically diverse, eco-minded alternative to other local events such as the popular Oyster Festival.
"In the midst of so much depressing environmental news, we wanted an event that would inspire and re-energise us all, showing people they are not alone in their passion and concern for the environment," Ms Gordon said.
There have been Woytopia festivals in 2010, 2011, 2012 and in 2014 and 2016 with average attendances around 3000.
"Woytopia is a true community festival, run by a voluntary organising committee of six to 10 people and around 30 to 40 volunteers on the day helping set up and manage the event.
"The festival is run on a shoestring, funded by a mixture of small grants, sponsorship from local businesses, fundraising events and income from stalls and donations on the day.
"Many speakers and performers also donate their time for free or reduced rates to support the festival.
"We feature local musicians, entertainers and food stalls.
"We even have the local school farm," Ms Gordon said.
Woytopia event manager Mr Mark Mann said it was not too late to secure a stall at the 2018 event for interested local vendors.
"A central feature of the festival is its eco-market of green products and services and local green groups.
"Woytopia is a great way to reach and meet local, environmentally aware consumers and residents," Mr Mann said.
Stalls range from local environmental campaigns to organic food products, solar power, chemical-free cleaning and beauty products, eco-friendly clothing, eco-tourism, native plants and more.
"As well as eco-stalls, talks and workshops, Woytopia features great live music, lots of children's entertainment and delicious food, making it a great event whether you're a committed greenie or just looking for something fun to do with the family," he said.
Source:
Media release, Jul 21
Elizabeth Gordon, Peninsula Environment Group