The heart of Picton will come alive in October when the Arts Alive Festival rolls in. The brand new event will feature a vibrant street party, live performances, hands-on workshops and stunning visual light displays, along with roving artists, markets and food trucks.
As part of the festival, the Wollondilly Performing Arts Centre will offer guided tours of the facility and present free performances of the theatre production The Gardener’s Apprentice.
The festival will also feature interactive workshops, arts and makers markets, an art exhibition, an Aboriginal weaving workshop, Aboriginal dance and music, Japanese drumming and craft activities, providing an array of free, inclusive and accessible activities to all people and age groups.
“Arts Alive will bring the community together to ignite inspiration and celebrate the local talent we have here in our Shire,” says Wollondilly Mayor Matt Gould
“With a range of musical performances, art displays, activations and market stalls, there will definitely be something for everyone.”
“I’d like to thank the NSW Government for providing the funding for this new festival for the next three years.”
The festival is funded via Open Streets Program, led by Transport for NSW.
“We’re backing local councils to reclaim their main streets, hosting free events that support local jobs and businesses,” says Marjorie O’Neill, parliamentary secretary for transport.
“The last rounds of Open Streets events attracted more than a million people – I can’t wait to see even more people having a good time in their own communities.”
The normally busy Menangle Street and Mary McKillop Lane in Picton will be temporarily closed to make a pedestrian safe area for the street party, with local businesses invited to extend their opening hours.
Council will soon be calling for expressions of interest from musicians, artists and groups to participate in the event.