This year’s festival is aptly titled ‘Reflections’, and attendees can again expect all their favourite traditions: the vibrant Wassail parade, the raucous bonfire, and the symbolic Burning Man effigy. The air will be filled with the sounds of live music, laughter, and the clinking of cider glasses as people come together to celebrate one last time. The festival grounds will be adorned with more decorations than ever before, with an array of lights and colours that capture the magic of the Huon Valley. Costumes will be more elaborate, the songs louder, and the sense of camaraderie stronger as people gather to bid farewell to an event that has become an integral part of their winter rituals. As Bayliss notes, the Mid-Winter Festival, at its heart, has always been about community, a gathering that strengthens community bonds. It provides an opportunity for locals and visitors to connect over shared traditions, enjoy the region’s natural beauty, and support local businesses and artisans. “People are obviously very attached to the festival and like I said, it’s been a big part of the local landscape for a while now,” Bayliss says. “So there is a lot of sadness I think coming from around the place about the fact that it won’t be happening anymore, but people at the moment are still in that excited phase of ‘at least we’ve got one last one to look forward to and we’re pumped to be able to come and see that’, and that’s kind of the vibe that we’re getting from people at the moment.
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