Strathfield Council Coming Back to Life with Street Festival 2140
For immediate release
10 March 2022
Strathfield Council is bringing Homebush West and Homebush back to life after lockdown with a vibrant street festival held across 10 days and nights between 11 March and 9 April, thanks to funding from the NSW Government’s The Festival of Place.
Street Festival 2140 will light up the Homebush West and Homebush Village town centres, in an effort to reignite community spirit and support local businesses after the challenging extended lockdowns of last year.
Mayor Matthew Blackmore says, “Strathfield Council was one of the 12 LGAs that faced the harshest restrictions due to COVID-19, and while restrictions have lifted, the economic recovery has been slow.
“Street Festival 2140 will celebrate our vibrant cultural endeavours and local businesses, as well as encouraging participation to instil a renewed sense of community, underpinned by a beautification initiative that will improve the aesthetics and ambience of the areas.”
“The past year has been a difficult time for all of us, particularly the two key town centres Homebush Village and Homebush West, as businesses now try to rebuild from not only extended lockdowns but also decreased consumer confidence. We’re committed to stimulating economic recovery and doing what we can to give residents and visitors the chance to enjoy great local artists and support local businesses who were impacted significantly by extended lockdowns,” explains Cr Blackmore.
Over the five weekends of the festival, a buzzing program of local performers, artists, kids’ activities and market stalls will showcase the diverse cultures and talent within the vibrant Strathfield community. A spectacular drone show will take place on the second weekend and closing weekend of the festival.
Street Festival 2140 will have a long-term positive impact, by allowing Council to test and explore options for more permanent changes that leaves a legacy in the community. Permanent festoon lighting, planter boxes, historical artwork, garden restoration, artist cubes, repainted fence lines and mural art infrastructure are planned for the festival, improving the visual appeal of the town centres and encouraging visitation to the area.
Street artists Sheila Tan and Bill Stroulios are among the artists who will participate in the festival, painting murals and street art to celebrate the diverse local culture and create a more inclusive space for social and cultural activity.
Cr Blackmore explains, “It is through the support of the NSW Government’s The Festival of Place – Open Streets funding program that we have been able to hold Street Festival 2140. Bringing more visitors into the town to connect with local businesses such as eateries and cafes will help in developing more permanent foot traffic and improve night-time economy.”
Almost 70% of residents within Homebush West and Homebush speak a language other than English at home. Street Festival 2140 will connect the many cultures in the area with events aimed at creating opportunities for social and cultural appreciation. Among the diverse range of performers are Cuban Big Band, Drumbeats African Drummers, Australian Chinese Community Association Dancers, the Nartan Institute of Performing Arts and many more.
The line-up will also showcase local schools, including St Martha’s Primary String Ensemble and Strathfield Girls High School. Children’s activities are scheduled from 1-5pm, including henna tattooing, face painting, origami workshops, lantern making, rides and amusements.
“We’re looking forward to bringing our community together. We hope that the Street Festival 2140 will inspire our residents to support local businesses and inject a sense of pride within the areas,” says Cr Blackmore.
Department of Planning and Environment Executive Director Public Spaces Caroline Butler-Bowdon said the NSW Government was supporting the state’s economic recovery by funding councils in the 12 LGAs that were most impacted by last year’s COVID-19 lockdowns to reimagine their streets and laneways.
“Our public spaces, including our streets have become a focal point during the pandemic and we’re enabling Councils to revitalise their laneways, streets and squares to help local economies and the hospitality, arts, and music sectors to get back on their feet,” Ms Butler-Bowdon said.
“It’s all part of our Open Streets program, which is about re-energising and reimagining our streets, and creating a sense of excitement and discovery with community activities that the public can get out and enjoy.”
Street Festival 2140 is proudly funded by the NSW Government’s The Festival of Place.
For full details on Strathfield Street Festival 2140 go to: https://strathfieldevents.nsw.gov.au/major-events/street-festival-2140/
ENDS
For media enquiries, please contact:
Naomi Searle
Strathfield Council
9748 9992