CoastOut to return in 2011
CoastOut, the LGBTI beach festival held for the first time at Coffs Harbour last year, will return in 2011.
Organiser Todd Buttery said this year’s festival would again take place in Coffs Harbour, from October 28 – 30.
“The response from last year’s festival was overwhelming. The feedback was extremely positive for a first-year event, so we figured we’d best do it again,” Buttery told the Star Observer.
“We learnt about the scheduling of some of the events over the three nights and two days, so this year we are planning the activity-based events — Surf Competition and Beach Carnival — on Saturday so the Sunday can be the chilled out day at Fair Day, followed by our very own Tea Dance by the beach and under the trees.
“This year’s message is ‘Bring Your Magic’, so we’ll theme the festival along those lines and hopefully recreate much of the magic that CoastOut 2010 had.”
CoastOut 2010 was one of the great successes on the Australian LGBTI event calendar, drawing more than 1200 people to the inaugural weekend of activities.
“For a first-year event halfway between two capital cities, we were rapt,” Buttery said.
“People came from every state, and seeing the visitors mix with the Coffs Coast locals was amazing. We have a strong, often hidden community here — it was nice to see everyone come out and play.”
Buttery nominated Drag Out the Dolphins and the world’s first gay surfing competition as definite first-year highlights.
“But for me it was seeing more than 1000 people at a gay and lesbian fair day in Coffs Harbour,” he said.
“A once extremely conservative town has grown into a more relaxed and inclusive part of the country. It’s wonderful to see and be a part of it.”
Buttery encouraged those who didn’t make the trip up the coast in 2010 to seriously consider being a part of this year’s festival. And of course, he is expecting plenty of repeat visitors.
“The feeling that comes from a weekend away in the country gives people a sense of relaxation that you don’t get in the big smoke,” he said.
“To get away, put your feet in the sand and mix with the country folk, where you can make new friends and catch up with old, creates such a great buzz in the air.”
info: CoastOut 2011 will be held at Coffs Harbour October 28-30. Visit www.coastout.com.au
