Join in this vibrant community festival
Crows Nest Fest returns on Sunday 18 October with a jam-packed, family-friendly community day for all to enjoy, celebrating the lively suburb.
Run by community-based not-for-profit Crows Nest Mainstreet, the festival will see Crows Nest come alive with more than 200 market stalls, live music, art and other entertainment.
Established more than 30 years ago, the festival was initially on the main strip of Crows Nest (Willoughby Road). Now, it encompasses the whole village.
JoEllen Henderson, director and deputy chairperson at Crows Nest Mainstreet, describes the festival as ‘one of those special days when the whole village changes gear.’
“The streets fill with music, food, colour and people, and there’s a real sense of celebration everywhere you turn,” she says.
The occasion also highlights the people and local businesses that keep the neighbourhood running.
“It’s about…our local businesses having the opportunity to really shine,” JoEllen says. “We put an initial callout to the local businesses and give them first priority (for stalls and activities).”
On top of stalls, local businesses will still be open throughout the day, including restaurants, bars and retailers.
“Crows Nest has the perfect village atmosphere,” JoEllen says.
“We want people to experience the personality of Crows Nest – to explore the streets, stay for lunch and dinner, discover somewhere new and leave already thinking about when they’ll come back.”
Each year, the festival gets bigger, offering diverse experiences and attracting visitors new and old.
“We always bring back the favourite things that people love about the festival, but I’m forever feeling it’s really important to introduce fresh experiences and some new reasons for people to come and to explore,” JoEllen says. “We want to make sure that we create a sense of discovery.”
A new experience this year is Paws Avenue, an area dedicated to all things animals. Several connected marquees will see rescue groups, vets and dog trainers among others offering advice and pet-friendly experiences.
“Basically, it’s an area to celebrate people’s love of animals,” JoEllen says. “That’s an exciting thing for us.”
There will be background music playing on the day, and four stages will host a range of performances from DJs, local dance schools, cultural groups, school performers and more. Roving performers will also be moving through the streets.
Young festival-goers will be kept entertained through the Kids Zone which includes pony rides, a petting zoo, circus playground and face painting.
What it comes down to for the organisers is ‘making sure that people all get something out of it and have a wonderful day,’ says JoEllen.
“Crows Nest is lively anyway, but this is a beautiful festival with a great atmosphere. It’s a really happy time.”
Crows Nest Mainstreet is working on delivering further events to celebrate Crows Nest. One such event will be The Nest@Night, a month-long program launching in March next year.
“The program will celebrate and showcase Crows Nest’s incredible hospitality, entertainment, culture and vibrant night-time economy, shining a whole new light on the precinct after dark,” JoEllen says.
CROWS NEST FEST
Sunday 18 October
10am to 5pm
Crows Nest Village | Free
