THE Port Fairy Folk Festival was awarded ‘Best Regional Festival’ last Tuesday at a ceremony held at Fed Square performance venue, The Edge, which hosted over 200 musical experts.

The ‘Folkie’, as it’s affectionately known, took home first prize at the prestigious Music Victoria Awards.

One of the biggest nights in Victorian music, the awards spread further across the state and celebrated more events happening in Victoria’s vibrant regions and this year split the main festival award into two awards - ‘Best Metro Festival’ and ‘Best Regional Festival’.

The festival, held over the Labour Day long weekend in March, attracts more than 10,000 people to the Moyne region and injects around $5 million into the local economy each year.

Mayor Cr Karen Foster said the win was an excellent result in recognising the festival as one of the most culturally significant for Port Fairy and the wider region.

“Congratulations to the Festival Committee and everyone involved in making the festival a success - the Folkie is an important part of our local culture and this award is very well-deserved,” she said.

“The Folkie is more than an iconic music event, it is a part of the region’s heritage and an important contributor to our local economy - bringing visitors to the region who stay with our accommodation providers, eat at our restaurants and cafes, and visit our tourist attractions.”

Port Fairy Folk Festival program director, Justin Rudge, said the Port Fairy Folk Festival team were extremely proud of winning the Best Regional Music Festival award from Music Victoria for 2022. 

“It recognises the long history and dedication of 45 years of work and support from so many, and acknowledges our wonderful return in 2022 under such challenging circumstances,” he said.

“Our inaugural partnership with the Archie Roach Foundation for their inaugural stage at the 2022 festival was so special, and one of the highlights of the festival. 

“Having Uncle Archie perform and host the stage will stay in our memories forever.”

The 46th Port Fairy Folk Festival will be held over four days from March 10-13, 2023.