CONTINUING THE BATTLE: These characters got into the spirit of Ironfest 2012. Photo: JEFF GEDDES lm072012ironfestdates
FOLLOWING the most successful Ironfest yet in terms of visitor numbers, the Ironfest organisers have announced the dates for the 14th annual 2013 Lithgow district Ironfest.
To be called Time Travel Ironfest 2013 will be held on Saturday and Sunday, April 20 and 21.
“We estimated the total visitor numbers this year was around 14,000 people, our biggest crowd yet,” festival organiser Macgregor Ross said.
“Being in the school holidays and at a warmer time of year certainly contributed to the good result.
“As a consequence, we’ve decided to once again hold the event on the second last weekend of April, as opposed to the last weekend of April.”
Ironfest experienced a huge influx of visitors in the first few hours of opening this year.
So much so the crowd queued from the main gate at the Showground right up to the skate park and half way back again.
“We were caught out by the large numbers of people all arriving at the same time, so we’ve decided on a couple of initiatives to try and avoid the delays,” Mr Ross said.
“Extending our hours of operation will be one of them.
“We’ll now open at 9am instead of 10am and close at 6pm on the Saturday, instead of 5pm.
“And we’re keen to bring in a new barcode ticketing system which will help us process people much quicker at the gate.”
Apart from organisational changes, visitors to the festival can expect some program changes in 2013 as well.
“In 2011 we broadened our focus,” he said.
“We moved more into sci-fi and fantasy and it really broadened our appeal.
“And we really pushed the idea of our visitors dressing up.
“From the perspective of the festival director, it was very liberating.
“So people can expect plenty of sci-fi and lots more fantasy, as well as all those events that have proven to be so popular in the past including the Napoleonic battle re-enactment, the medieval birds of prey display, horseback archery, jousting, the blacksmithing demos, the circus and roving performers.”
And if the number of people dressing up as Doctor Who characters, sci-borgs and other characters was any indication, the sci-fi focus was very successful as well.
Ticket prices for 2013 will be announced very soon and program details will also be announced throughout the rest of this year as well as early next year.
Ironfest has been recognised as an event of state significance, and has been supported by Delta Electricity, Lithgow City Council, plus a host of smaller supporters, including Lithgow Valley Springs and RockStar Fashion.
Sponsors-partners for Ironfest in 2013 are now being sought.
Contact Mac on 6353 1638 if you are interested.