NEWS
Issue 158 - 28 April 2017
Ironfest… an inside view.
By Rich Evans
By now most readers would have seen the hundreds if not thousands of photos posted all over social media from the Ironfest Lost World weekend. The costumes were mind blowing, the entertainment was over the top, the crowds were huge - these are all undeniable facts and have been clearly documented by both local and national media as well as all the passionate participants. My role as President of Ironfest and co-ordinator of ticketing and media gave me a very unique vantage point to view the weekend from, and so rather than rehash what has already been said or deliver page after page of photo gallery, I felt that maybe a behind the scenes view might give our readers an appreciation for just what goes in to the event. The planning and co-ordination of Ironfest Lost World started back in April last year, straight after the 2016 Ironfest. That is when the production and creative teams came together to start the planning for this year’s event. It was always going to be a big year in 2017, despite the fact that it was the 18th Ironfest, the unique festival is in a second growth phase and fast becoming a nationally relevant event. I was bought on as president in December last year and over the last 5 months have seen the thousands of hours, many headaches and huge hurdles the festival has to jump in order to run seamlessly over the weekend. The Ironfest week begins as soon as we can get access to the showground which this year was Tuesday after the Gem show was fully packed up and the grounds were clear, work began. First of all the grounds are dressed with hessian, screens, flags and bunting, which is more than likely not noticed at all by the audience but is very important to create the right feel for Ironfest. The ticket office is placed at the gate, the tents begin going up and by Tuesday afternoon, the first of our very eager participants are showing up. Throughout Wednesday and Thursday, the pace increases with more of the same and by Thursday afternoon, the show ground is beginning to become the Kingdom of Ironfest. Come Friday morning, market stall holders start coming in droves. As the festival now opens on Friday evening for the $5 preview, 90% of stallholders are on site and ready to go for this. This year over 300 people attended the preview, not a bad turn out considering that it is mostly locals that come down for a look. By the time Saturday morning arrived, I was already quite worn out but still had two 12+ days ahead of me. The entire Ironfest crew were on site early and getting the finishing touches done, ready to open the gates at 9am. When the gates opened and the early starters flooded in, we thought there would be some small respite, however, we found the was not the case. The ticket lines were constant from 9am until 2pm in the afternoon, the new electronic ticketing and online pre-sales meant that we did not have long lines of people as we had done in previous years. The people coming through the gate had come from all over the country, Canberra, Melbourne, some down from Brisbane, and many from Sydney and surrounds. The costumes were ranging from the basic things you might pick up at the local costume shop to huge home made inventions that defied logic such as the mechanical wings worn by one lady and even the aeroplane bike created by a local. Ironfest has become one of the most anticipated events on the subculture calendar, but it has not had as much impact on local audiences, despite the clear economic benefit it brings to the region. One common piece of feedback is the price, however as a father of three kids, a family 2 day pass for just $140 allowing both ,myself and may wife and our 3 kids unlimited entry is not expensive at all. Sure you have to pay for food on that, but lets be honest - taking my kids to the movies and buying popcorn and some drinks costs about the same at a metropolitan cinema. If you are an adult and coming by yourself for a couple of hours, you are missing the point. Ironfest is something you come to ALL DAY at the very minimum if you have even a hope of seeing everything on offer. Parking was at a premium over the weekend with cars parked all the way up to the visitor centre, completely filling Watsford Oval, up the side streets adjacent to the bridge crossing the train lines near Ordinance Ave, and beyond. There were very clear signs of just how many people
4
Truck loads of vegetation transformed the front gates. Photo by Vicki Hartley
Volunteers Amanda and Anna with Mayor Lesslie. Photo Mac Ross
Clr Maree Statham with festival founder and organiser Mac Ross
Opening the gates for the keen early starters.
The late night arrival of our gate mascot Rexy. People walk in and see a dinosaur, we saw a secret delivery with a dinosaur needing to be put together. Note that all the volunteers where very similar HiVis costumes... And people ask why we don’t dress up. Photo by Mac Ross
were in attendance such as the need to double the cleaning staff on site to keep up with cleaning and stocking bathrooms throughout the weekend. This year’s Ironfest was by far the biggest we have ever seen, however, with crowds of over 18,000 over the weekend including visitors, participants and stall holders, it is really only just beginning it’s second stag of growth. All the subcultures that attend Ironfest already know all about the festival and have been coming for years, where the opportunity lies now for the organisation is in the attraction of visitors from Western Sydney and beyond to make the day trip or stay for the weekend and enjoy this amazing family friendly event. Once the festival is over, we all head back to the show ground for the pack down and clean up, which thankful, is made easier by the many people willing to lend a hand. This year I didn’t see half as much as what I have in previous years, but I experienced so much more. I
experienced and event that is put on by people that truly love what they are doing and after so many years working together are able to rise to the occasion no matter how big the event gets. A big thanks must go to all the volunteers, helpers and sponsors of the event, as well as the amazing participants, without their efforts Ironfest would not be half the festival that it is. The planning for next year is now underway and the theme has been announced as Wild West, so get your thinking caps on and get ready to get involved in Ironfest next year. Rich Evans is Editor and Founder of the Village Voice, and this year fulfilled the role of President of Ironfest Incorporated - the auspicing body of the event. The Village Voice were paid for one week of advertising, and provided all other advertising as a donation in kind as a sponsor.
submit your stories and read more at villagevoice.net.au