The Deloraine Dramatic Society stalwart, who will again perform the role of festival director, says little has changed since the festival’s inception in 1981. 

“It's a really nice friendly festival and that's why people love coming,” Mrs Woods said.

“When we first started it I used to ask people to make comments about how they would like it to change and what would they like to improve and the replies came back “keep it just the same, we love it”, so I don't change it.”

Held at the Little Theatre on October 14 and 15, this year’s event has already attracted entrants from Hobart and Victoria, which has been a regular supplier of entrants in recent years. 

Mrs Woods said the festival’s laid-back nature often came as a breath of fresh air for mainland competitors. 

“They love it, they just can't believe it because in Victoria they have quite a few festivals but they're very competitive and a bit cutthroat about rules.

“In other places they have all these rules about how many speaking parts there have to be and they've only got so many minutes to get all their stuff off stage, we don't go in for all that; we go for enjoying it and all the social side of it.”

As always, the festival’s traditional post-performance parties promise to be a highlight for performers and audience members alike, with celebrations taking place on both the Friday and Saturday nights.

Mrs Woods said she was more than happy to again offer up her house for the Saturday night presentation ceremony.

“My house has a ballroom and so at the party on Saturday night the whole audience, all the competitors, everyone comes and we all start drinking and eating while we wait for the adjudicator to make the final decisions.

“Then the adjudicator goes away and decides which will be best production, best actor, best actress and all the awards - a bit like the Oscars.”

Entry to the festival is $5 per person.