AN INAUGURAL farmers market and land yachts made from recyclable materials could be two of the major events of the 2011 Esperance Festival of the Wind.
Other activities being considered by organisers include a range of street theatre activities by local teenagers, sand sculptures and living statues, featuring local community leaders.
Festival co-ordinator Toni Hawkins said the festival area was being expanded, ranging from the foreshore up to Dempster Street on March 18-20.
“We want to see Esperance come to life with music, art, food and fun for the whole community,” Ms Hawkins said.
“I am excited about the opportunities for the wider community to be involved in the festival.”
The theme for the festival will be sustainability and Ms Hawkins said the inaugural farmers market could be the catalyst to establish a market on a regular basis to take advantage of local produce.
Ms Hawkins said teenagers from 13-18 would be encouraged to take part in a range of music or drama activities.
“They would perform at a number of locations and would be rotated around those locations to provide a variety of acts,” she said.
“We want to promote youth talent and also provide something for everyone.”
Ms Hawkins encouraged local businesses to remain open over the weekend to add to the vitality of the occasion.
“The recycling sailing regatta on Pink Lake combines with our theme for 2011 of sustainability and the Festival of the Wind itself,” she said.
There are plans for junk art exhibition and auction at the Cannery Arts Centre and for a Perth music group to run workshops, making musical instruments from recycled materials.
An artist in residence will make a polished concrete sculpture, after consultation with locals, adding to the town’s public art collection.
She said the 2011 festival would cover the largest area in the event’s history after it was located at the Museum Village in 2009.
Ms Hawkins said the there were six people on the organising committee and encouraged people interested in focusing on particular events to also get involved.
For further details call Ms Hawkins on 0427 594 278 or email admin@festivalofthewind.org.au
