The absolute best Award any Festival can receive is the accolades given by its attendees. Samples taken from our exit surveys are on a separate page for your consideration.
We have only ever entered our Festival once into any competition – that was in 2014 for the NSW Inland Tourism Awards. The result was a Bronze in the Festivals and Events category. With Canowindra Balloon Challenge and Tamworth Country Music Festival taking out the gold and silver, both having existed for more than three and four decades respectively, we were justifiably over the moon that a 2 year old event could even come in third!
Our own Chief Crow Grant Luhrs had the onerous job of attending on behalf of all the Crow Family Flock. Yes, it was a hard night – he had to be wined and dined, be entertained and be prepared to “caw” on behalf of everyone…and all this was accompanied by an array of red wine, so he had to painstakingly moderate his intake until our category was announced.
Grant didn’t throw any terrible two temper tantrums that we didn’t win, it was a fantastic recognition of efforts of and support from everyone associated with Stone the Crows. Some very special thanks must go to Our Crow Assistants (volunteers) – you are an expanding flock without whom this event would never happen. Everyone who has attended the Festival in the first two years you helped us fly high plus the wonderful staff at Wagga Wagga City Council (especially Sally and her crew) for all their encouragement and, of course, the many local businesses who have assisted in so many areas.
Our first venue was Camp Kurrajong Scout Camp. We outgrew Camp Kurrajong after the first year and the ACTA grounds has become our permanent venue as there is plenty of space for our flock to gather and nest.
The aim for Stone the Crows Festival has never been, and will never be, to be the biggest gathering of grey nomads or over 50s – it always will be to be to enjoy the camaraderie of like minded people, giving the best value for money in entertainment and activities. At the end of the day we want the word of mouth advertising on the grapevine to be something like “You’ve just got to come to Stone the Crows it’s great!”.
If that happens, the Chief Crows and all the volunteers have done their jobs and we have contributed something worthwhile to our flock – that’s definitely the highest and best award we could all achieve.