ECHO Festival postponed dates revealed

No strangers to perseverance, East Coast Tasmania’s ECHO Festival will be back just a month after major flooding at the Cranbrook site forced a heartbreaking postponement. THE NEW DATES >>

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No strangers to perseverance, east coast Tasmania’s ECHO Festival will be back just a month after major flooding at the Cranbrook site forced a heartbreaking postponement just two days before it was set to go ahead.

Owner of property the ECHO Festival was going to be held on Adam Greenhill alongside event organiser Ange Boxall as the event is being postponed due to damage caused by the flooding last Thursday. Picture: Zak Simmonds

Organisers yesterday were able to confirm new dates for the festival from April 23-25.

A statement from the festival said the extra month would allow them to; “recoup and repair damage to the farm and festival site, and continue to collaborate with the majority of our artists, producers and innovators as originally planned.”

The ECHO Festival site after Last Thursday’s flooding event at Cranbrook on Tasmania’s east coast. Picture: Zak Simmonds

Tickets for the postponed weekend will still be valid with more available for the late April dates, but refunds can be accessed through Oztix until April 2.

“The absolute best thing would be to hang on to tickets, and encourage your mates to come along,” organisers said.

It comes as a small victory for the organisers who were forced to cancel the 2020 event due to COVID-19 concerns.

Gates open 4pm Friday and close 11am Sunday.

You can book tickets to the 2021 ECHO Festival here.

THE FLOODS – MARCH 25

A raging torrent of floodwater has washed away chances of ECHO Festival going ahead this weekend, with the damage likely to take a month to fix.

Adam Greenhill, the owner of the site on the banks of the Swan River at Cranbrook on the East Coast, said the flooding that came through in the middle of the night was immense.

He believed it would take over a month to clear debris and resurrect fencing, much of which laid strewn across the road heading into his property.

The ECHO Festival site swallowed by floodwater — March 25, 2021.

“You could hear the fences and the wires breaking in the middle of the night. Twang, twang, twang,” Mr Greenhill said.

At an initial count, the farmer believed he had lost at least a handful of sheep to floodwater.

Water also inundated cottages and a historic mill on his property but fortunately his house was spared.

Echo Festival organisers will announce a new date as soon as possible, likely to be in coming weeks, with founder Ange Boxall issuing a statement.

“ECHO is about listening to the world around us, tuning in and showing respect — there is a much bigger picture to view. It seems Mother Nature isn’t happy at this moment and the shifts in our weather reflects the very reality that climate change is shifting our everyday,” Ms Boxall said.

“Sadly, my positivity has had to take a back seat to make room for a pragmatic decision for this coming weekend’s festivities. We have no choice but to postpone due to conditions on the farm with the aftermath of (Wednesday)’s rain on the East Coast.”

INITIAL STORY:

Jarrod Lawler and Kasey Wilkins

AFTER a challenging year, a boutique harvest festival is promising a chance for Tasmanians to ‘recharge and re-set’ with storytelling, music and wine.

ECHO — or East Coast Harvest Odyssey — is a curated program of art, food and wine experiences located at beautiful Cranbrook.

Founder and creative producer Ange Boxall said this year’s program celebrates everything at the heart of the festival — community, stories, authentic experiences and the melding together of cultural and culinary legends.

“This past year has not only starved us of artistic and cultural experiences, we’ve been deprived on a sensory level — touch, shared tastes, sounds and scent. ECHO warmly wakes us up and takes us on a journey of exploration to reignite those senses whilst forging unforgettable memories, “she said.

One man that is excited to help provide an amazing experience for the festival’s patrons is Joseph Burton, the director of Joseph Burton Wines.

Joseph Burton of Joseph Burton Wines ahead of the Echo Festival next week. Picture: Zak Simmonds

Recognised as the first certified sommelier in Tasmania, Mr Burton will host fun and informative wine tastings of East Coast Tasmanian drops and said he cannot wait to help festival goers unwind and enjoy the ECHO experience.

“With the world returning to its hectic pace once again, the opportunity for people to take some time on the beautiful East Coast and engage with others, enjoy brilliant music, stories, food and wine. It’s perfect to reset,” he said.

The wine expert has been involved in ECHO festival since the very first event, and was planning to attend last year’s as well.

“It’s a really authentic uber-local event that encompasses all that is great about Tasmania,” Mr Burton said.

“(I hope people experience) a connection with place, real Tasmanian history, great food and beverages and a chance to re-energise.”

ECHO will take place from March 26 to 28 at Gala Mill, Cranbrook.

Tickets and more information are available at echofestival.com.au.

PROGRAM | What’s on offer

Welcome to Country

Welcome to Country, in partnership with Nita Education, will be performed by Craig Everett and Linton Burgess – proud Pakana/Palawa Tasmanian Aboriginal Artists and Educators. ​

Nita Education provides Tasmanian Aboriginal cultural experiences. They inspire to connect to their 50,000+ year old culture and encourage young Palawa/Pakana to embrace their culture.

The Great Eastern Ferment

Participate in the ceremonious ‘Great Eastern Ferment’ – the fruits of your labour will inspire the release of ‘ECHO Vino, 2022 vintage’ at next year’s festival! The Great Eastern Ferment is generously supported by Spring Vale Wines.

Science Bar

Join Beaker Street and IMAS scientists Professor Gretta Pecl and Dr John Keane, among others, to discuss the growing threat of climate change to East Coast marine diversity, and do your part to combat the problem by throwing back an invasive long-spined sea urchin shooter!

Experiences

Participate in experiencing bush tucker, ‘mapping the body’, bush crown making, dancing and wine, gin and whisky tastings.

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