Spring Migration looks to move

Spring Migration is looking to do some migrating of its own, with organisers revealing they are looking further afield to maintain the viability of next year’s festival.

Organisers Gary Hayward and Andy Stevens say things are -œstill up in the air as to whether they will be a part of the 2009 Spring Migration.

-œWe need some help with the festival because it’s grown too much, said Hayward.

The event was in the media spotlight after Hayward was reported by the ABC saying he and Stevens would no longer be involved in the festival because of homophobic attitudes.

According to their website, they have -œworn themselves out and are now handing over the reins to the Yackandandah Tourism Association for Spring Migration 2009.

The three-day festival, heading into its fifth year, is tipped to move to Wodonga although Hayward won’t confirm whether he and Stevens will be a part of it.

-œThere’s some underlying stuff … the region would love Spring Migration to keep going, but we need to have quite a few talks with people if we are to keep it going, he said.

Hayward confirmed he is currently in negotiations with other towns in the area and toying with the idea of turning the festival into a week-long celebration.

-œWe’ve been in discussion with the Wodonga Council over plans for the 2009 festival, however nothing is solidified.

Hayward said he could not confirm whether the council had offered funding for the festival.

As sole organisers of the three-day festival, the pair say it has outgrown the town largely because of a lack of accommodation in the area.

Southern Star has been told that homophobic elements have been at play in at least two venues refusing to allow gay guests to stay. Hayward declined to comment further on these allegations.

It has been reported that an estimated $500,000 goes into the local town’s economy over the festival with accommodation and food and including those who have bought property in the area.

This year’s festival was officially opened and blessed by Tibetan monks and included a dance party, market, buskers, art show and a winery tour and was said to have attracted 2500  people.