Picture yourself sitting on the banks of an idyllic creek, listening to wonderful music played by some of Australia’s most talented musicians and celebrating local traditional music and dance…

Imagine no more!

Upper Murray residents are invited to come and join in the fun and music at the Nariel Recreation Reserve on the banks of the beautiful Nariel Creek and also at the Memorial Hall Corryong, to welcome in the 2025 New Year.

The Nariel Creek Folk Festival is the oldest of its kind runing in Australia, continuing a long tradition of more than 100 years of old time music and dance in the Nariel Valley. This is a memorable, nationwide achievement for the residents of Upper Murray.

The festival began in 1962, originating from a picnic of music and dance held on the banks of the Nariel Creek. This followed a night of dancing at the Nariel Hall and in Corryong, enjoyed by locals and visiting members of the Victorian Folk Music Club.

The dances and music were of historical significance to the collectors and archivists of music and dance in Australia. The picnic has now become a wonderful family festival, based in the Upper Murray area, already steeped with so many artistic and folkloric traditions.

This year the festival begins with a traditional Nariel dance on the night of Friday 27th December which will be held at the Memorial Hall Corryong. Dances were held at the Memorial Hall for many years and the festival committee has decided to bring them back into Corryong.

A Contra Dance, run by Ray and Jennie Simpson, is held between 5pm and 7pm on Saturday 28th December. Contra dancing is easy to learn and a very social dance. All steps will be expertly called for each dance by some of Australia’s leading dance callers. Beginners and families are all welcome!

Two more Nariel dances will be held at the Memorial Hall in Corryong on Monday 30th December and the final Nariel Festival dance on Thursday 2nd January. The dance music is provided by the Nariel band including Ray and Jennie Simpson and many of their friends.

All dances are called or “led off”, so no previous experience is necessary. Children’s dances are also included, as well as a door prize and spot prizes throughout the night.

On New Year’s Eve you can relax and enjoy a blackboard concert from 3.00pm followed by a bush dance at 8.00pm, with the local Rotary Club doing the catering. New Year’s Day features a very relaxed picnic concert from 12.00pm also followed by the bush dance on the evening of New Year’s Day.

The New Year’s Day concert begins with the younger children displaying their musical or poetry talent followed by lots of local and imported talent, young and old, professional and amateur, providing a wide range of family entertainment for the whole day.

These events are held on The Green at the Nariel Recreation Reserve. The band for these dances includes talented musicians from all areas of Australia, as well as featuring the Nariel Band and Nariel tunes.

Come along and dance your favourite dances with family and friends and learn new dances in a friendly and fun atmosphere. The Corryong dances are alcohol free and dress is light casual. The door fee covers entry and an excellent supper of freshly made sandwiches, with tea and coffee included.

At the festival, many opportunities exist for watching or participating in campfire sessions, learning tunes and techniques from other musicians and dancers, catching up with friends Folk festival continues century old tradition and meeting new friends.

There are also many programmed kids’ activities on every other day, so if you are looking for something for the youngsters to do over the holidays, take them out to the festival for an activity and a swim.

This year the festival committee will again be raffling two tickets to the National Folk Festival in Canberra at Easter 2017 (worth more than $800) as well as other prizes. Thanks go to the local businesses who have supported the festival with raffle prizes and to the local emergency services for their support.

Contact Ray Simpson on mobile number 0419 599 542 or Jamie Molloy 0421 246 586 if you would like to help as a volunteer or if you want more information. 

This article appeared in the Corryong Courier, 19 December 2024.