The Blacksmiths Festival is a free biennial community event that started quietly in 2013 on the banks of the Maribyrnong River in Footscray, Australia. Since then, the event has grown to become one of the most celebrated events on the metal artist and local community calendars. Now run by a cohort of merry volunteers under the banner of the Blacksmiths Festival Association Inc., the festival attracts thousands of attendees who come to enjoy something very special in a location that many describe as the jewel of Footscray.
Blacksmiths Festival Association Inc.
The Blacksmiths Festival Association (BFA) is the beating heart of the event. Without the dedication of the BFA committee the festival would not be what it has become today. The committee meets on an as required basis, which in the lead up to the festival, becomes regular. We would like to acknowledge the commitment and dedication of our awesome committee members who include:
Robbie Alderson - President
Steve Phillips (Estebana) - Founder and Community Liaison Officer
Shaina Glenny - Treasurer
Ron Blint - Vice President
Barry Steinmeyer - Secretary
Kim Kershaw - Treasurer
Peter DiGiusto - Infrastructure Officer
Lisa Fitzgerald - Festival Coordinator
Steve West - Volunteer Coordinator
Anthony Swann - Bar Coordinator
Robbie Alderson
Elwyn Davies
Ari Milke
Hugo Mattiske - 150mmChallengeAUS Coordinator
Jupiter - Artist Alley Coordinator
Mal Bowker
Sam Adams - Games Coordinator
The BFA operates as a not-for-profit Incorporated Association (No. A0060801T, ABN: 50 878 926 520) and is endorsed for charity tax concessions.
Volunteers
We would like to acknowledge our volunteer workforce (70+ for each festival) who include local residents, family, friends and many of the blacksmiths who travel from all around Australia and internationally to attend and support the festival. Thanks good people, you rock!
Our Sponsors
Many thanks go to our regular sponsors, without which this festival would simply not run. To these organisations, the BFA, all our blacksmiths (local and abroad) send many thanks.