Woytopia festival for a greener future

The inaugural Woytopia environment festival will be held on Sunday, October 31, from 10am to 4pm at Woy Woy South Public School.

The festival is planned as a family-friendly day out with the focus on fun and a greener future, according to Mr Mark Mann, president of the Peninsula Environment Group.

He said there would be music, eco-market stalls and food, as well as green talks, workshops and movies.

"We've called the festival Woytopia because it's all about celebrating what a great place Woy Woy is to live, as well as about helping people imagine a positive, sustainable future.

"We want visitors to have a fun day, but also to learn and share ideas on how we can live more sustainably."

The music line-up features acclaimed local singer-songwriter Sarah Humphreys, Latin jazz duo Ricky Vargas and Dimitri, and classical-blues viola player Paul Groh.

Children's entertainment puts the emphasis on participation and creativity with music-making, a theatre workshop, dancing, drumming, yoga, arts and crafts, soccer, and an under-5s' play zone.

Young and old alike will be able to join in painting a giant "Dreamtime mural".

The Australian Walkabout Wildlife Park will present native animal shows and ochre face painting, and Jake Cassar will talk about local bush tucker.

There will also be bike repair and solar cooking demonstrations, an eco-friendly barbecue, global food stalls and homemade organic cakes.

Green talks, workshops and short films will cover topics from climate change to beekeeping, growing your own vegies and cutting energy bills.

The festival will begin at 10am with an Aboriginal smoke ceremony with Gavi Duncan, and admission is free.

Email, 21 Oct 2010 Mark Mann, Peninsula Environment Group