'Woodfordia'. The 500 acre site just outside of Woodford.

Woodford Folk Festival (WFF) is an annual, internationally renowned multi-cultural and music festival. It is also Australia’s longest running event of its kind and one of the biggest folk festival’s in the world.

It was originally created in 1987, called the Maleny Folk Festival. By 1993 the Maleny showground had become too small to hold the growing numbers attending the festival. The owners, the Queensland Folk Federation purchased some 300 acres of land in a town 20km’s away called Woodford. From there the festival gradually matured to become what is today known as the Woodford Folk Festival.

This large scale six day and night event incorporates many different sectors of hospitality, tourism and events (HTE). With over 2600 performers, 580 events, 40 cafes and restaurants and 160 vendors, 22 stages and attended by more than 140,000 visitors and 3000 volunteers, part of the 500 acre bushland reserve is turned into a miniature city, not to mention the idyllic 400 acres of nature reserve, catering for all guest’s needs.

“When the Woodford Folk Festival is up and running it has a greater population than Nambour and by necessity requires a similar infrastructure capacity irrespective of whether it is for seven days or 365.” Mr Hauritz (http://www.thechronicle.com.au/story/2010/08/18/costs-put-festivals-doubt)

With some of the best up and coming artists, concerts, street theatre, writers' panels, film festival, comedy sessions, acoustic jams, debate, dances, forums, an entire children's festival, art and craft, circus performances, cabarets and special events including a spectacular fire event and the Tibetan monks playing to welcome the new year’s sun. There is also a strong basis on natural, cultural and environmental approaches to living including workshops to learn the best ways. With the wide array of choices there isn’t any time spare to get bored in a place like this.

“Woodford Folk Festival truly represents our modern Australian culture and The Queensland Folk Federation is representative of a dynamic community of 2000 volunteers, 160 department heads and 20 full time staff who create the festival. Negotiating the balance between community and professionalism is a rewarding challenge for all involved.” (http://www.liveguide.com.au/Festivals/610297/Woodford_Folk_Festival_2008_2009?event_id=610297#details)