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OurBushland
   
   
Festival                        2024

The 2024 event is confirmed for the weekend of 7-8 September 2024.

Why this weekend? 7 September is national Threatened Species Day. It marks the day that the Tasmanian Tiger became extinct in 1936, as a sharp reminder to conserve nature and protect our most precious and unique animals on the planet. Locally multiple critically endangered and vulnerable species  rely on the high biodiversity values in the Lower Hunter, and we don't want to lose them. Our Bushland Festival aims to raise awareness, garner local community support and protection of this most treasured area.

 

We will be building on the success of years festival hosted which hosted an exciting range of information displays, market stalls, food and free face painting and mini workshops and events leading up to and on the festival day, just for kids(including Big Kids!). This is a day full of fun for everyone.

This year we have artists:

Isaac Compton, Trinity Woodhouse, Mackenzie Lee, Dirt Road Tribute, Chain Daisy, and Sandy Summers.

Check out our past events here

This event was proudly brought to you by a collaboration with BirdLife Australia, Cessnock City Council, Hunter Local Land Services and funding through the Australian Government's National Landcare Program, the Department of Planning & Environment, Mindaribba Local Aboriginal Land Council, NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service, University of Newcastle Conservation Biology Research Group, Hunter Bird Observers Club, Land Eco Consulting, EnviroComm Connections and Aussie Ark.

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OUR BUSHLAND

FESTIVAL

The 2024 Our Bushland Festival will take place on Sunday 8 September  at Poppet Head Park, Kitchener, NSW 2325.

        CLICK ON IMAGE or HERE FOR SCHEDULE

 

Join us for the Our Bushland Festival, a celebration of the natural beauty and diversity of our local bushland. This event is the perfect opportunity for stall holders to showcase their products and services to a large audience.

The festival will take place on Sun Sep 8 2024 at Poppet Head Park, Kitchener, NSW 2325.

CLICK HERE FOR FESTIVAL ACTIVITIES->WHAT'S ON 

Cessnock City Council will once again host the popular Our Bushland Festival as it returns for its third year from Friday 6 to Sunday 8 September 2024 with some new and exciting additions!

The nature-themed event celebrates the unique flora and fauna of the Cessnock area with a huge line-up of engaging activities for all ages to enjoy. 

Kicking off the festivities on Friday 6 September is the inaugural Twilight Tales – a free outdoor cinema event from 5 to 7.30pm at the Hunter Valley Visitor Information Centre. And the best part? Council is letting the community pick the flick – Bee Movie or The Lorax? – visit the Our Bushland Festival page on Council’s website to cast your vote by 1 August.

On Saturday 7 September, Spotlights and Stars offers a unique opportunity to explore the magic of our bushland after dark. Led by local ecologists, this event allows participants to observe nocturnal animals in their natural habitat, and in a special addition this year’s event, a captivating stargazing talk will complement the experience.

Our Bushland Festival will culminate with an action-packed day of fun, food and adventure from 9.30am to 3pm on Sunday 8 September at Poppethead Park, Kitchener. Highlights include guided bushwalks, mini workshops, animal talks featuring snakes, reptiles, and Tassie Devils, a range of kids' activities, and live music performances by Isaac Compton, Trinity Woodhouse, Mackenzie Lee, Dirt Road Tribute, Chain Daisy, and Sandy Summers.

Cessnock City Mayor Jay Suvaal is encouraging everyone to come along to one or all of the fantastic free events that form part of the 2024 Our Bushland Festival.

"We’re excited to bring this wonderful festival back for its third year and it’s shaping up to be bigger and better than ever with an expanded array of events and activities that highlight the natural beauty and biodiversity of our region," said Clr Suvaal.

"Whether you’re joining us for the enchanting Twilight Tales, the immersive Spotlights and Stars, or the action-packed festival day itself, there’s something for everyone to enjoy."

Don't miss out on this exciting event!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

STALLHOLDERS AND SPONSORS
Register now to secure your spot as a stallholder at the Our Bushland Festival.

STALLHOLDERS

We welcome all types of stall holders to register, including food vendors, crafters, artists, and more. This is a fantastic chance to connect with the community and share your passion with others.
Market stalls: promote your sustainable, environmental, creative and unique wares to festival goers.

Market stalls: $50 stall fee
Food vendors: showcase your delectable offerings to a diverse audience of over 1,200 attendees

Food vendors: $75 fee

Stallholders are invited to register their interest to contact@ourbushland.com

SPONSORS

Our event will not happen without the amazing support of sponsors and contributors. To help the event maintain and grow the amazing activities on offer, we are seeking sponsors to support the event.

Following on from the successful 2023 Our Bushland Festival, Cessnock City Council is seeking sponsors for 2024.

Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze sponsorships are available, all of which offer a great opportunity to:

• promote your business/organisation

• connect with the local and wider community

• increase brand awareness and media exposure

• contribute to our community

• support a hugely popular community event

• communicate your values

Download our sponsorship prospectus, and get in touch.

Sponsorship prospectus- Festival 2024.pdf

Remember to follow us on our Facebook page, OurBushland- Lower Hunter Valley for more regular updates, and information about the amazing place that is Our Bushland.

 

WHATS ON- FESTIVAL EVENTS

KIDS & NATURE THEMED ACTIVITIES:

Tuesday and Wednesday 3 & 4 September 10am:

  • Cessnock Library: Bushland Storytime The Forgotten Song: Saving the Regent Honeyeater, Bowerbird Blues, The Bowerbird Book here

Friday 6 September, 5pm-7:30pm:

  • Twilight Tales: Cast your vote here to see either the Bee Movie or The Lorax, at the Hunter Valley Visitor Information Centre. (FREE)

Saturday 7 September

  • Spotlights and Stars- see the magic of Poppethead Park, Kitchener after dark, spying local fauna and stargazing. TICKET INFORMATION COMING SOON

Sunday 8 September, 9:30am-3pm FESTIVAL DAY:

  • All day fun, food and adventure at Poppethead Park, Kitchener- including mini bushwalks, animal talks, mini workshops, live music: Isaac Compton, Trinity Woodhouse, Mackenzie Lee, Dirt Road Tribute, Chain Daisy, and Sandy Summers

Festival Events include:

  • Guided bushwalks with knowledgeable local experts and ecologists

  • Exciting mini workshops where you can learn fascinating insights about the environment and conservation efforts

  • Animal talks and displays including snakes and reptiles with Jabiru Wildlife and Tassie Devils with Aussie Ark. 

  • Kids passport and activities including bracelet making with Resourceful Living 

  • Imaginatrilists all day drop in session and art gallery

  • Vibrant market and food stalls by local artisans and producers

  • Live music performances throughout the day, featuring talented local artists like Isaac Compton, Trinity Woodhouse, Mackenzie Lee, Dirt Road Tribute, Chain Daisy, and Sandy Summers

GETTING THERE:

  • ​A free shuttlebus will run from East Cessnock Bowling Club to Poppethead park on 8 September

  • The bus will depart from East Cessnock Bowling Club at the following times:

    • 9:30am

    • 10:15am

    • 11am

  • Return trips from Poppethead Park:

    • 2pm

    • 2:30pm

    • 2:50pm

  • Or drive and park to Poppethead Park 37-39 Cessnock St, Kitchener NSW 2325

SPONSORS

Thank you to our generous sponsors for 2024:

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WHATS ON
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