It would seem there’s a lot to be thankful for when you’re lucky enough to call Kenilworth Home. Once again it’s time for the streets of this charming hinterland town to come alive to all manner of creative delights and entertainment as Kenilworth Celebrates during its annual Town Festival.

This year the Kenilworth Festival starts with a truly big show, an orchestral concert on the 28^th of September performed by our own Sunshine Coast Symphony Orchestra, however if you want a seat at this table you will need to make a booking. Entry is just $25 and it will be held at the Kenilworth Homestead. A concert of classical and light music this is a great opportunity to experience this great 40 piece orchestra weave their magic.

The festival highlights the community’s well-respected and vibrant creative culture right throughout its two-week program of events by incorporating the township’s Visual Arts Extravaganza. There are two art competitions for the more talented amongst us, with some very large cash prizes on offer. Time to get the paints out perhaps.

The array of talent on show is quite breathtaking; from Brian Tisdall a man who can paint just about anything on anything, including the footpath, to Tracey Lewis and her bush critters, which are made out of seeds, leaves sticks and so many other things.

Robert Ross on the other hand likes to carve things out of stone and wood. He has been carving for some 15 years and works primarily in wood, stone and bone. Robert looks to use mainly salvaged timber and recycled materials; hardwood from old telephone poles, local species from tree loppers and offcuts from furniture making, including Huon Pine, Red Cedar, Rosewood, Walnut and Cherry. But what he finds inside these things is truly amazing to the eye.

You could even grab yourself some tutoring from a professional during the many painting workshops to be held at the Kenilworth School. This program runs from the 29^th of September until the 3^rd of October and will require prior booking.

Or perhaps the written word is your preferred creative outlet. No worries – there’s a ‘poet’s breakfast’ too. The MC for this event is well known local poet Ian Mackay and as with most things in Kenilworth there will be Country breakfast come lunch on site to ensure you are well entertained.

Over the past ten years, ten artists have been invited to exhibit work expressing their particular religious, spiritual or humanitarian viewpoint through their art. To celebrate ten years of these solo exhibitions, all artists have been invited back to participate in “Ten Artists in Retrospect”.

Each artist has been invited to submit one large work and four or five smaller works, together with their commercial items.  All work will be for sale. 

The Exhibition will be open from Sat. 4 Oct. to Fri. 10 Oct. from 10am to 4pm each day. It will be formally opened by John Dobson OAM, Chancellor of the University of the Sunshine Coast at 12 noon Sat. 4 Oct. Donation entry of $2.

Founded in 1920 in the verdant Upper Mary Valley, Kenilworth has long been a favourite Sunday drive destination of ours as you just can’t beat the friend welcome or the great café or hotel food. It’s just one of those place that forces you to relax and take stock.

Although in saying that if you’d like a little more thrill in your country day out, the twentieth Kenilworth Show and Rodeo is on this Saturday. What a wonderful opportunity to introduce your family to country life and culture. It’s a full on show with all the traditional events like; an NRA Max Points Rodeo (starts at 9.30am), Show Jumping, Side Shows, Wood Chopping, Pavilion Exhibits… it’s got it. Held at the Kenilworth showground’s you can even camp at the ground for free after the show, adults $12 and Kids (5-15) $3 – so little for so much family fun and entertainment.

Like to know a lot more about all the fun to be had? Just visit Kenilworth’s own Celebration web site: www.kenilworthcelebrates.org.au