The Mid Mountains Festival

The Lawson Festival or Love Lawson Festival started as an annual event held in November. Now The Mid Mountains Festival It celebrates the sometimes overlooked smaller villages which are located between the higher profile and more touristy Upper Mountains and the more populous and retail oriented Lower Mountains. In past years the festival has done this with events ranging from Billy Cart building workshops which culminate in an opportunity to race the resulting creations, to moustache and beard competitions. This year's program is still to be finalised and published so we don't yet know what exciting activities will be available in 2014.

The area known as the Mid Mountains comprises the villages of Woodford, Hazelbrook, Lawson and Bullaburra and is situated in the middle of The Blue Mountains region of New South Wales, Australia. Every weekend, droves of visitors pass right through the area to reach other, higher profile sites without realising the some of the secrets known to locals.

**CLICK ON IMAGE TO VIEW FULL SIZE IN A NEW WINDOW**

A locality referred to as either The Swamp or Christmas Swamp first appeared in the records in 1817. This was a reference to the large "hanging swamp" in the area, an easily accessible source of fresh water. The name "24 Mile Hollow" was used in the 1830's. This referred to the distance from Emu Ford on the Nepean River which marks the point where the plains of Sydney give way to the start of the Great Dividing Range. The town officially changed its name to Lawson in 1879 in honour of the early explorer, William Lawson.

If you would like to know more about the history of Lawson a great site to visit is Mid Mountains History

Photo used under a Creative commons licence from Australian Dictionary Of Biography

The Mid Mountains Festival - A Mid Mountains Celebration

November 15, 2014

The geography of the Mid-Mountains made it an ideal location for the peoples of Australia's original inhabitants, the Aborigines, to camp as they migrated across the range. The area is rich in evidence of use by these people in the form of rock carving, cave painting and grind marks on stone where tools were hewn and sharpened.

A detailed account of the Aboriginal history of the Mid-Mountains can be found at Mid Mountains History

This rock carving of a kangaroo known as Kangaroo rock is situated in an otherwise residential area, surrounded by houses. Photo used under a Creative commons licence from Sydney Aboriginal Rock Engravings

The Mid Mountains Festival - A Mid Mountains Celebration

November 15, 2014

Although the festival is still a relatively young event, it could be said that it has its roots in early Australian history. The towns and villages of the Blue Mountains stretch in a line across the range from Lapstone & Glenbrook in the east to Lithgow in the west following the top of the ridge as it rises from the plains of Sydney to its highest point at Blackheath then begins its descent to the plains west of the range. The dots are joined by The Great Western Highway which was first constructed as a single lane road despite its being the only viable route for major traffic flow from Sydney to all points west. The upgrade of the highway to dual carriageway has been a gradual affair, in planning for decades, construction being undertaken in a piecemeal fashion as each community fights to retain what they hold dear. When planning for the widening of the highway nudged at Lawson's front door, the authorities were met with a enormous resistence. While some of the townsfolk were glad for progress and heartily wished for action to proceed, the greater majority were passionate to preserve what little history survived in the village. This is mainly in the form of a small strip of shops and some cottages. One of the most endearing features of the township is and always has been its sense of community. Another is its charming architecture. The coming of the highway threatened to divide the community, not only in the physical sense but in spirit as well.

Image used under a Creative Commons licence from Sydney Tourist Guide

The Mid Mountains Festival - A Mid Mountains Celebration

November 15, 2014

Back in 2005, some of Lawson's most devoted residents came up with the idea of holding a festival. The festival would celebrate everything that was loved about Lawson. It would be a festival by and for the people of Lawson as a symbol of cohesiveness and acknowledgement that although opinions differ on the best outcome for the village, the residents are united in their love of the town. The first "Love Lawson" festival was held in November 2006 and is now firmly entrenched as an annual event.

Lawson lies not only at the centre of The Blue Mountains but also at the centre of the smaller area known as The Mid-Mountains which boasts an active Neighbourhood and Community Centre. The Mid- mountains encompasses the villages of Woodford, Hazelbrook, Lawson and Bullaburra. It is the Mid-Mountains Neighbourhood Centre which pulls together the festival each year with the help of a small group of volunteers. In recognition of the wider community it represents, the MMNC has broadened the focus of the "Love Lawson" festival to embrace the Mid Mountains and therefore have changed the name of the festival to "Lawson Festival".

This photo of one of the shops destined for demolition is used under a Creative Commons licence from PacificEdge.info This used to be one of four Real Estate businesses in Lawson. When the businesses vacated the doomed premises some were taken up on nominal leases until their eventual fate befalls them. This building is currently occupied by one of Lawson's personalities known to many simply as Bob the artist.

**UPDATE: The old shops have now been demolished and some new shops have risen from their ashes to take their place. The Lawson community is anxiously awaiting the rebuilding of the entire retail strip so that commercial life can return to the once busy village

The Mid Mountains Festival - A Mid Mountains Celebration

November 15, 2014

Here in the Mid-Mountains we are proud of our locality, our community rich in artistic talent and our sometimes quirkiness. All of these elements and more are celebrated at the Lawson Festival. With activities for all ages and interests, from the pet and owner look alike contest to kids busking, from music workshops to the Made In The Mid Mountains Marquee there is always something wonderful for everyone to enjoy.

The 2008 Art Competition took the form of the "Lawthong Art Competition" where participants were encouraged to submit artworks based on thongs (flipflops). Here are some of the entries.

Thong Art

Images courtesy of LawsonFestival.org (site no longer exists)

The Mid Mountains Festival - A Mid Mountains Celebration

November 15, 2014

Image sourced from Mid Mountains History A detailed history of the Blue Mountain Hotel can be found here.

Image used under a Creative Commons licence from Gary Bell

Image sourced from Mid Mountains History A detailed history of the Blue Mountain Hotel can be found here.

The restoration of The Blue Mountain Hotel is almost complete and it is looking fabulous! Photos coming soon.

The Mid Mountains Festival - A Mid Mountains Celebration

November 15, 2014

Lawson Festival Infant T-ShirtCHECK PRICE

Lawson Festival Kids TeeCHECK PRICE

Lawson Festival Ladies TeeCHECK PRICE

Lawson Festival Cap Trucker HatCHECK PRICE

Lawson Festival Travel MugCHECK PRICE

Lawson Festival Pet ClothingCHECK PRICE

Lawson Festival Mens Destroyed TeeCHECK PRICE

Lawson Festival Tote Tote BagsCHECK PRICE

Lawson Festival ApronCHECK PRICE

Central to the Lawson Festival is the Made In The Mid Mountains Marquee where local artists and crafters will showcase their wares. With Christmas just around the corner, this is an ideal time to pick up something beautiful and unusual for friends and family.

The Lawson Festival supports and actively promotes sustainability. There will be stalls and stands aligned to this theme. One of the groups represented at the festival is The Blue Mountains FreecycleTM Network. Freecycle describes themselves as "The Blue Mountains FreecycleTM Network is open to all who want to "recycle" that special something rather than throw it away. Whether it's a chair, a fax machine, piano or an old door, feel free to post it. Or maybe you're looking to acquire something yourself! Nonprofit groups are also welcome to participate too! One constraint: everything posted must be free. This network is brought to you by The FreecycleTM Network, a nonprofit organization and a movement of people interested in keeping good stuff out of landfills. Check out Freecycle.org for other cities and info on the movement."

Drop something off for Freecycling at the Freecycle stall at the Lawson Festival. There will be items for offer at the stall as well. You never know what you might find there!

Find out more about Blue Mountains FreecycleTM

There's nothing like a local festival to bring a community together. Please add your name to the guestbook and tell others about your local festival. If you've been to the Lawson Festival shout it out.