The Festival of King Island has grown from something small to a calendar highlight.
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It began in 2012, and is now gearing up for its 2017 event, which will take place on January 27 to 29.
The line-up is spearheaded by Dave Faulkner and Brad Shepherd of Hoodoo Gurus fame.
But it’s Australian folk artist Kim Churchill that will receive the biggest round of applause when he takes to the stage.
Churchill was instrumental in the formation of the festival, explained event treasurer and vice president Troy Smith.
“When the factory and abattoir closed down he asked how he could help,” Mr Smith said.
The JBS abattoir closed down in 2012, taking with it about 70 jobs.
Churchill said he learnt of the island’s situation by chance.
“A few years back a girl who was an extra in a music video of mine told me about King Island and the situation they had been left in after (the abattoir) was shut down,” Churchill said.
“She thought it would be cool if I did a gig over there and I thought it was a pretty cool idea. I got in touch with the manager of the Save King Island Facebook page, Kim George, and we spoke about me playing a show.
“We felt after discussing the idea of my playing a show on the island that it could be a great event for the community and island as a whole; but it would need to be much bigger than just me.
“I worked with Kim to connect my circle of muso friends and bands with the festival and enjoyed offering my advice on what bands to play.
“I guess he really suggested the idea too and a bunch of people on the island turned the show into a mini festival.
“It's a beautiful little story for me, and I'm so proud to have played a role in the festival’s conception.”
The event has turned into more than a mini festival – it now runs for two and a half days.
The festival went beyond music, Mr Smith said, with a strong focus on creating a family friendly atmosphere.
Mr Smith said that about 600 people turn out for the festival, out of the island’s total population of 1400.
Between 120 and 150 people fly to King Island for the event, whether it be to help man the ropes or just for pleasure.
“It’s not a big number, but it’s a growing number that’s for sure,” Mr Smith said of the “interstate” attendees.
“And once people came here, they keep coming back. They love it, and these are people who go to bigger musical festivals all around the country.”
“And once people came here, they keep coming back. They love it, and these are people who go to bigger musical festivals all around the country.”
- Festival of King Island's Troy Smith
Churchill agreed, and said that, through his experience, audiences were blown away by the island and its people.
“Every person I have ever met there has been incredible,” he said.
“When we arrive we get whisked up in cars and taken off surfing and horse riding and made to feel like family.
“I think every artist and punter gets that experience, it's kinda old school.
“Every person waves at you down the street and every house has a beer and BBQ to invite you to.”
King Island mayor Duncan McFie said the festival had gone from strength to strength.
“It’s something that we’ve never had before,” he said.
Mr Smith said the King Island community had really embraced the festival.
“We don’t really have that many events on the island. So the community is very supportive,” he said.
“The idea was to give people something to do. To boost moral. It was never set up as anything other than that, certainly not as a money making exercise.”
And as for the future of the festival? From all angles, it’s looking bright.
“I think it will always be a cool, boutique event,” Churchill said.
“It will keep its special welcoming vibe for sure. But I also hope it grows and grows because it is one of a kind and people are steadily gravitating to it.
“Because it's so real everyone just kinda just hangs out like a camping trip or something. It's rare for that vibe to exist and I strongly urge anybody who thinks they'd like it to get over in the early years.”
Joining Churchill on the line up are the likes of Shaun Kirk, Benny Walker, and Launceston’s The Saxons.
And if music isn’t your thing there’s always the giant waterslide through the dunes.
Tickets are on sale now at www.foki.com.au.
Single day tickets start at $15 for Friday, and a three-day pass costs $50.