The Macleay River Festival pays tribute to the Macleay River as the lifeblood of the Valley which binds together our many communities. The festival features a diverse program across art, film, music and sound and water activities all celebrating our Mighty Macleay.
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This year’s theme is river ecology, and festival goers will be awed by the many art installations displayed in Riverside Park by our local schools. Watch out for the giant river serpent floating along the riverbanks!
Learn more about the Macleay’s history through an interactive exhibition by the Macleay Historical Society, which includes old film footage and artefacts from the Kempsey Museum’s collection and the online “Our Rivers, Our Histories” project.
Over in the Cinema Tent - hear stories from some of our elders in the Painting Country - Dunghutti Stories from Yesterday film, as well as River Stories from some of our more recent Kempsey residents.
Launching at the festival is the River Listening project in collaboration with Queensland artist Dr Leah Barclay. This project aims to recognise the critical value of river systems and offers communities to engage in river conservation through digital technologies, sound and music.
Catch a glimpse of our very own Kempsey Macleay Dragon Boaters and local Surf Lifesaving Crews as they join the annual Save Our Macleay River paddle. Canoe enthusiasts can join in the paddle by registering at www.saveourmacleayriver.com or call Arthur on 0428 475 065. Paddlers meet at Woolworths riverside at 9am with morning tea served at Eruoka bend.
You can also take part in the water festivities by entering in the Raft Regatta, with a first prize of $500 sponsored by the Macleay Valley Business Chamber! There is still time to enter – so get your entry forms in to Kempsey Shire Council customer services or call 6566 3229.
The Macleay River Festival is a free event, Saturday 24 September at Riverside Park. Visit www.macleayriverfestival.com.au or LIKE the Facebook Page @macleayriverfestival.
