Tickets for Willie Smith’s tenth Mid-Winter Festival have gone on sale ahead of the two-day event taking place from July 14 in the Huon Valley of Southern Tasmania.
As well as being a fine excuse to indulge in great cider, beer, food and more, the festival draws on pagan traditions from the cider producing regions of south-west England. It celebrates Wassailing – a pagan ceremony to assist in keeping the apple trees safe from evil spirits and to ensure a good harvest for the year ahead – and involves the ritualistic burning of the 15 metre tall effigy “Big Willie”.
Headlining the children’s entertainment is Teeny Tiny Stevies of ABC TV fame while Brisbane bluegrass act Long John’s will grace the Saturday night stage. Brothers of Country will also bring together stories and sounds from the the bush featuring Yorta Yorta and Yuwaalaraay man Warrne Mason.
In addition, the festival presents Tasmania’s premier storytelling competition – the Storyteller’s Cup – which harks back to the tradition of passing stories through spoken word. Attendees can also catch a bush dance led by David “Oddsocks” Wanless who has danced from Antarctica to Canada. This year the festival will also feature a captivating Drag Story Hour, creating a space where authenticity shines for people of all ages.
Tickets for the Mid-Winter Fest went on sale today (May 18) with options for Friday or Saturday or a weekend pass. Children under 16 years are free. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit williesmiths.com.au/mid-winter.