Surfing the ColdStream The best festival I think I have ever been to! The bad news- It is over for this year- but if you are looking to come to OZ next year in October- put this on your itinerary.
No flashing lights or carnival rides in sight- this was almost all locally sourced produce, handicrafts, food booths, and pure entertainment! At one point I kept hearing a marching band in the distance. Expecting to see a military type band come through- I was agape with smile. Instead of polyester clad teens- I saw a rowdy bunch of local town people playing in unison with unified movements but in no particular formation or uniform. It was awesome! These were people really putting on a parade in the truest sense! Irreverently they marched through the middle of the local cricket ground that was the backdrop for the festival.
There was a MASSIVE line up of entertainment but what I witnessed was The Blue Skillet Band an old time jug band/variety show group that kept us in stitches, a balancing/juggling act, and a guy playing fiddle for a group of kids. To round out the experience- there were homemade curries, farmers selling 6 avocados for 3 dollars, honey with the honeycomb still in it, cutting boards made from off cuts, and so much more. Take a deep breath and here is where real life is. Yamba- the Surfing the Coldstream Festival. A yummy celebration of life.
