Byron Bay Blog

Sept 1, 2, & 3, Bangalow Showgrounds

The organisers of the 3rd annual Fatherhood Festival invite you to come celebrate fatherhood, the key to community. In stories, music, film, art, games, forums, workshops and more, this year’s Fatherhood Festival promises a multi-dimensional, exciting, informative and emotional exploration of modern fatherhood.

“It’s a gathering for fathers, families, extended families and friends to share their unique stories. Modern fathering is complex, ever-changing, it’s terrifying, it’s gratifying, and most of us had little or no instruction or models to guide us. The Fatherhood Festival has proved to genuinely assist fathers in their role, and therefore our community, and beyond,” says founder Colin George. The proceeds of this year’s festival goes towards the innovative Expectant Fathers and New Dads Mentoring Programme, a regional initiative that will actually train up new dads in parenting skills.

There are dozens of activities and events throughout the weekend for all ages. Please visit the web site:
www.fatherhoodfestival.com for the full rundown.

Saturday highlights include the 3pm Future of Families Panel with relationship writer and speaker Bettina Arndt, Terry Melvin of Mensline Australia, publisher Kali Wendorf of ByronChild, and indigenous social worker Greg Telford. The Art Competition awards are at 6:45, followed by the Fatherhood Short Film Festival.

Sunday is a huge Family Fun day with mostly free activities beginning at the showgrounds at 8am. There’s The Rainforest Rescue’s Plant a Tree for the Fatherhood Forest, The Uncle Project’s Big Brekkie, Dad’s Boot Camp, Make-A-Toolbox for Dad, Mums versus Dads Low-ball, Fire Truck and Motorcycle display, Clown, Juggling and African drumming workshops, Hot Air Balloon Rides, and so much more.

As part of The Fatherhood Festival’s commitment to nurturing new talent, MusicOz will showcase young musos throughout the day. Hot up and coming artists like Joel Salom, Cheynne Murphy, Scarlett Affection, Deava, Carl Hemmings, Marty Breen, Mark Heazlett, Kevin Shannahan and Spaghetti Circus will keep us thoroughly entertained on free stages.

The site will be filled with market stalls, information from community groups and social services, great food and refreshments. Visitors will receive a FATHERHOOD FESTIVAL PASSPORT upon arrival. Get these stamped at various activities, and get in the draw to win fabulous prizes, announced throughout the day.

The festival concludes with the irresistible strains of new local dad PETE MURRAY, unplugged at 4pm, supported by Greg Sheehan, Kurtis, Soulman, the Mild Zinnias, and Dhinawan Baker as emcee.

For bookings: www.fatherhoodfestival.com, all Southern Cross Credit Unions, Barebones Artspace & Urban Cafe in Bangalow. Phone: 02 66 884 071