Strong festival culture
American bands will headline the annual Forest Edge Music Festival in Neerim East expected to attract 1000 to 1500 people.
Presented by CYC Ministries, the festival is an all-ages, drug and alcohol free live music event held over the Labor Day weekend from Saturday, March 11 to Monday, March 13.
Longwarry resident Shanon Presow is one local looking forward to the festival after recently taking on the co-director position.
He previously worked at Forest Edge mowing lawns and running school camps before returning to take the leap to the management team position.
Having volunteered at the festival for six or seven years, Shanon said “when the opportunity came up, I couldn’t resist”.
Shanon believes the festival’s strong positive culture makes it stand out from other live music events.
“It’s a drug and alcohol free event,” said Shanon. “We’re really about looking at the music we have, ensuring it encourages that culture.”
He added attendees enjoy the surrounding beauty of the bush, safe environment and “just the joy that’s around the festival”.
This year’s festival will see headline performers include US bands “Stars Go Dim” and “The Afters” along with around 40 Australian performers such as “Airports”, Levi McGrath, Fatai, “Slip On Stereo” and “Alabaster Box”.
A new main stage site with bush backdrop will be a feature as well as the new addition of a carnival, a lot of new acts and a variety of food vendors.
Young people, adults and families are all amongst the crowds who camp at the Neerim East location.
Shanon said a highlight of his new role had been travelling to New Zealand for a behind the scenes look at “One Festival”. It was a steep learning curve as the festival holds a lot of similar principals but is on a much larger scale – 6000 people attend with 750 volunteers. In comparison, Forest Edge attracts 1000 to 1500 people with 100 volunteers.
Tickets for the three-day festival are $110 for general admission and $220 for family admission.For bookings or further information, visit forestedge.org.au.