Renew Fest goes deeper and broader – Mullumbimby Showground 8-9 May

Renew Fest is returning this weekend at the Mullumbimby Showground, with their most jam-packed program ever, full of conversations, activities and experiences related to a theme of “regenerate everything”.

The festival will feature over 70 speakers, several dozen artists and musicians, along with dozens of ethical businesses and community organisations. There is a youth program, children’s nature crafts, a labyrinth walk, food stalls, info stalls and Indigenous Elders area.

This year, the festival is also bringing a Tiny Home Village to life in the showground arena, which will complement the Ideas and Immersive Arts program within the showground’s Fig Tree Grove.

“It is shaping up to be such a special year, and we are feeling all the goodness of so many people coming together in the name of regeneration. Our deep desire is to make a space for loving the earth and each other better, now and into the future,” says festival director Ella Rose Goninan.

Festival patrons join in with the “zero waste” goals of the festival by bringing their own eating utensils, with a wash station provided by Mullum Cares and Global Ripple.

Santos Organics is continuing its connection with Renew Fest and Resilient Byron, by sponsoring the Resilience Hub in the heart of the Tiny Home Village. “We love that Santos is passionate about zero waste, organic products, local economies and resilient communities, and thrilled that they are once again a key partner of the festival”, says Ella.

Festival organisers said that Friday opening night will likely sell out, so booking ahead of time online is essential.

In keeping with previous years, the festival is free for several different groups in our community, including all Indigenous Australians, as well as children 16 years and under.

Due to some generous donors, the festival is offering a selected range of free tickets to those suffering housing crisis, single parents, frontline activists and youth activists. Festival organisers say there is a simple process on their website to claim these special tickets.

The festival runs Mother’s Day Weekend at Mullumbimby Showground 8-9 May, with an opening night Friday 7 May at Mullumbimby Civic Hall. Full program and tickets at www.renewfest.org.au