Ironfest - Medievil Event in Lithgow

Dirty, smelly, old & scarred; a smoky little industrial town on the wrong side of the Great Divide: this was Lithgow, once touted as the Birmingham of Australia: dozens of coal mines, two iron smelters, three copper smelters, large scale heavy industries, a munitions factory, engineering workshops & much more.

All gone now, or majorly down sized. But many of the scars remain.In the 1940's, the Lithgow District had a population exceeding 80,000 people. Over half a century later and the population is less than 20,000 people.

So what about the future?
Unlikely to ever attract large-scale heavy industry in the future - being so far from the coast- and squeezed between the two large growth areas of Bathurst, a regional agricultural center, and Katoomba, a major Australian tourism center, Lithgow has only recently started looking at tourism as a possible way forward.

But why would tourists go there? What could entice them?
Enter: the annual Lithgow District Ironfest.

Building on the unique industrial heritage, the stunning natural environs (Lithgow borders on the western edge of the Blue Mountains World Heritage National Park), and the rich cultural heritage, a group of artists have created a stunningly unique & exciting Australian cultural heritage event, called Ironfest: celebrating artistic & technological innovation, with a focus on metal art.

Now into its' 6th year, Ironfest brings together a fascinating range of talented people from all over Australia: from local artist designer/ makers & blacksmiths, to sculptors, jewellers and performers from as far away as Geelong, Canberra & Bellingen.

The event comprises of art exhibitions, artist's stalls, live music, performance, historical exhibits & re-enactments, educational exhibits, demonstrations, workshops & numerous other mini events.

In 2005, as part of the Australian Innovation Festival, there will be a whole range of educational exhibits as well as a new inventors exhibition section.

(Inventors Wanted! Please contact the organizers on 02 63 531 638)

And there will be a tour of old & current industrial sites around the District, including Zig Zag Railway, Delta Energy Expo, the State Mine Heritage Park & the Small Arms Museum & ADI factory.

Supported by Lithgow City Council, Delta Electricity, Henry's Haulage, Arts Out West & Lithgow Valley Springs, Ironfest 2005 will be spectacular! Don't miss this life-changing event!

Ironfest is a good reason to visit Lithgow, (now a picturesque little town.)

Ironfest in 2005 will be held over the Anzac weekend of April 23, 24 & 25.

Visit the Ironfest website @ www.ironfest.com.au for more info.

For general information on Lithgow,
Contact: the Lithgow Visitor Center on 02 63 531 859 or Visit: www.lithgow-tourism.com

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Ironfest
Regular Event: April 23-25, 2005
A cultural/arts festival celebrating all the beautiful and useful things made in steel and other metals.
Venue: Lithgow Showground, Lithgow
Cost: Adults: $12.00, Child: $5.00, Concession: $8.00
Contact: MacGregor Ross Phone: 63531638
Website: www.ironfest.com.au