Community & Business
27 May, 2024
Fans react to Dolly Festival cancellation
News that the 2024 Dolly Parton Festival has been cancelled has shocked and disappointed local residents as well as fans of the event.
The Narromine Star asked its followers on social media to share their thoughts after the news of the cancellation broke last Friday. Julie Davis spoke for many when she said: “What a crying shame. The organisers did a fantastic job organising and staging this two years in a row. Very disappointed for the organising committee plus the town of Narromine.”
“[It’s] a huge disappointment, we had a great time last year,” added local resident Craig Baker.
Lack of funding to support such events was also something that resonated with our social media followers. “I have been hearing a lot of music festivals have been cancelled for the same reason,” commented Lyn Jablonski.
Luke Shea suggested that in future, closing streets with a minimal entry fee for children and adults “would cover a majority of the event.”
Val Clark is busy organising the 10th annual Dubbo Writers Festival which will take place this September. Mrs. Clark knows first-hand the hard work that goes into organising an annual festival, and the ongoing struggle to find funding to help subsidise the cost of bringing editors, publishers, and authors to the region. “And another regional festival bites the dust,” she said.
Kat Barnes suggested making the event bi-annual, occurring every two years, would help organisers find more time to gain support and funding. Some of those commenting indicated they had planned reunions and catch-ups with family to take place around the festival.
“We were going to have a big Back to Narromine weekend,” said supporter Lisa Jane.
A full statement about the cancellation of this year’s Dolly Parton Festival can be found on the festival website.
