Creswick will come alive with music and dance in April, through a new three day music festival.
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Volunteer organisers launched CresFest 2022 on Friday, opening ticket sales and revealing a line-up of folk and world music artists.
CresFest committee convenor Judy Turner said volunteers came together in February with a plan to create a celebration and special event for the community to move forward from coronavirus restrictions.
The outcome is the three day festival featuring professional musicians and community music involvement in Creswick's historic buildings that often stand empty most of the year.
"There are so many great buildings in Creswick, the town has a great vibe, there is good food, venues and great accommodation. It was almost like it was waiting for an event like this to happen," Ms Turner said.
Emma Donovan and The Putbacks, Eric Bogle, The Maes and Lucy Wise feature on the music line-up.
Talking to the musicians, it gives them something to look forward to because they have had such a terrible couple of years.
- Judy Turner, CresFest committee convenor
So do locals Stella Savy, Amie Brulée and many more.
Ms Turner and her husband, who are also long-time musicians, have brought their experience of playing in folk festivals around the world to inspire the event.
Support from grants and sponsors is enabling the committee to contract the musicians and book local venues.
"Talking to the musicians, it gives them something to look forward to because they have had such a terrible couple of years," Ms Turner said.
Odessa at Leaver's Hotel owner Cameron Ivchenko said he and his team were excited to be one of the businesses hosting events.
"Live music is in the rocks and bricks of this old building and its promising to be a fantastic weekend not to be missed," he said.
Community involvement is a big focus for the festival committee, with a new children's choir led by Stella Savy starting in Creswick this week scheduled to perform at the festival.
A Creswick street band and ukulele orchestra are other ways community members can get involved.
A Shire Showcase will give a chance for musicians in Hepburn Shire towns to perform and a busking competition will bring the streets to life.
The committee is also looking for 60 volunteers to support the event.
"A town like ours, which can be a little bit neglected and is smaller in relation to Ballarat and Daylesford, has the opportunity to put something on that is really special for our local community," Ms Turner said.
"It is about giving musicians an opportunity to play and about giving the community an opportunity to see great music and play alongside professionals.
"My own personal favourite is imagining all the pubs and outdoor venues thronging with people playing music, people in the street playing fiddles, guitars and banjos.
"For me as a long term musician and music activist, that is most exciting."
There are plans for CresFest to become an annual event.
Visit cresfest.com.au/ to get involved and purchase tickets.
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