The show must go on: Boolarra Folk Festival transitions to smaller gigs after 22-year run
Organisers hope the renovation of a 100-year-old post office will keep the music scene alive in the town.
Jacob Wallace
October 30, 2025
After more than two decades bringing thousands to a small valley town, the Boolarra Folk Festival has played its final note in the face of increased administrative burdens and rising financial requirements.
But the festival committee says live music is still on the agenda.
What happened: The Boolarra Folk Festival has ended after 22 years, but the community's music tradition will continue with a new project converting the 100-year-old Boolarra post office into a live music venue.
Latrobe City Councillor Leanne Potter said the festival’s last general meeting was a great way to commemorate the event’s place in local history.
🗣️ “A great moment to celebrate 22-years of outstanding achievement but also a sad time. For more than two decades this community event has brought the community together,” Potter said.
At its peak, the festival attracted over 10,000 visitors.
The festival was run by 60 local volunteers and contributed more than $2 million to the local economy.
Potter recognised the work of the festival founders, Ray and Wendy Stewart, as well as Rick Teychenne and the committee who continued the tradition after the Stewart’s stepped away from organisation eight years ago.
Why is the festival ending?
The committee states several difficulties which culminated in the closing down of the festival:
Raising significant funding every year with rising costs for an entirely free festival.
Finding 60 volunteers to setup and manage the festival every year.
Increased administrative burden placed on the committee.
🎊 Festival moves into new era
Although the festival has ended, the committee has transitioned into the Boolarra Music Project.
The project is nearing completion of a conversion of the old Boolarra post office into a live music venue.
By scaling down, the Boolarra Music Project hopes to focus on more frequent local music events with less demanding labour on volunteers.
🗣️ "Although we say goodbye to the folk festival, Boolarra will still continue to be the home of music," Potter said.
