The curtain will fall for the final time on Willie Smith’s Mid-Winter Festival this July.
Held over two days on July 12th and 13th, the festival will celebrate a decade of winter traditions in Tasmania’s Huon Valley with reflection.
“We will for the final time be celebrating the pagan tradition of scaring evil spirits from the apple orchard and having a rollicking big party in the heart of Winter,” Andrew Smith said.
Organisers are aiming to create an unforgettable send-off, reflecting on the festival’s rich history and the positive impact it has had on the region.
A mix of familiar favourites, longstanding traditions and fresh faces are promised for the festival’s final edition.
“The core elements of the festival will return including the burning of the effigy Big Willie, Morris Dancers leading the pagan Wassail ritual, the return of fan-favourite folk-punk artists, storytelling, dancing around fires, feasting and of course hot spiced cider,” Smith said.
Festival Artistic Director Rachel Valentyne said she had mixed emotions about the decision to pull the plug.
“We are saddened by the decision to conclude the Mid-Winter Festival, but we believe the time is right to present a spectacular and memorable final event in 2024,” she said.
“We want to welcome visitors from interstate and within Tasmania to join us to dance around the fire, celebrate the darkness and everything that has made this festival so successful for the past decade.”
