Rain, mud and cancellations: What’s next for Northern Rivers festivals?

WHAT is the future of festivals in the Northern Rivers? That’s the question many are asking following the sudden cancellation of the Byron Bay Writers Festival’s weekend events after heavy rain caused power outages and turned the Bangalow Showground into a mud pit.

Festival organisers were busy cleaning up and reaching out to ticketholders this week offering refunds. But as the scenario wasn’t covered by the event’s insurance, they also asked those in a position to do so to donate their ticket costs or seek only a partial refund.

“As those who live in the Northern Rivers are acutely aware, insurance access and affordability is a major issue for outdoor festivals and small arts organisations,” the festival team said in a statement.

Despite challenging conditions, all of Friday’s sessions went ahead, including three appearances by UK-based author Esther Freud and a Q&A with former foreign correspondent Peter Greste. Feature and satellite events also proceeded, such as an in-conversation event with celebrated Australian novelist Helen Garner and local journalist Kerry O’Brien.

On Saturday, several authors held book signings at The Book Room in Byron Bay, and on Sunday some live sessions were relocated to the Bangalow A&I Hall. These included appearances by Tom Keneally, Barry Jones and Ziggy Ramo.

The cancellation comes as more bad news hit the region’s events scene: on Monday, it was announced that Northern Rivers Food has gone into administration. Torrential rain had also impacted its annual Harvest Food Trail in May.

The month-long event, which showcased farm tours, cooking demonstrations and regional dining experiences, was a flagship for the not-for-profit member-based organisation. Founded in 2011 by Brook Farm’s Pam Brook, Northern Rivers Food helped connect people across the local food and beverage industry through networking events, workshops and other initiatives.

Northern Rivers Food chair Mark Awad said the wet weather and broader economic climate pushed the group over the edge.

“Unfortunately, the Harvest event this year coincided with the start of a very wet autumn, then also the election which we couldn’t have forecast and that affected the turnout,” he said. “In combination with the economic times we didn’t get the support that we usually do for the event.

“We had really worked to change the format this year to make it bigger and better and unfortunately that meant spending more money and without the support from the community it put Northern Rivers Food in an unsustainable position.”