Celebrate Ability Festival returns to Cooma for 15th year this Friday
Published on 27 November 2024
The fifteenth annual Celebrate Ability Festival is bringing another fiesta of inclusive activities and entertainment to Cooma’s Centennial Park from 12pm to 3pm on Friday 29 November 2024, with the Snowy Monaro community invited to come and join the fun.
This free community event brings together people with disability, their families, carers, and service providers for an afternoon of connection and celebration.
Visitors can enjoy live music performed by Steve Jackson from Euro-Monaro Disability and Aged Care Support Services, participate in line dancing lessons with Riley's Rodeo Line Dancing, get hands-on with an interactive STEM experience from Snowy Hydro, and explore creative activities, including henna painting provided by the Cooma Multicultural Centre.
The festival features interactive displays from local disability service providers, community groups, and sporting clubs, alongside sensory play areas and a dedicated kids' zone.
A special guest appearance will add to the festivities, while a free sausage sizzle – kindly provided by the Cooma Lions Club – will keep attendees energised throughout the afternoon.
‘The Celebrate Ability Festival provides a platform for people with disability to connect with others and share their achievements,’ said Kristy Harvey, Community Development Planner with Snowy Monaro Regional Council.
‘It's about highlighting positive initiatives, while identifying areas where we can work together to create a more inclusive community.’
The local event is aligned with the International Day of People with Disability, a global day of recognition celebrated around the world in November and December each year. The theme for 2024 is ‘amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future.’
Cooma’s Celebrate Ability Festival is coordinated by an organising committee made up of representatives from the local support sector.
Thank you to our committee members from Cooma Challenge, The Disability Trust, Monaro Family Support Service, and Uniting for giving our region the opportunity to come together to mark this important date.
In the event of poor weather, the event will be cancelled. An announcement will be made on the morning of Friday 29 November 2024 if required.
Contact us for further information about the 2024 Celebrate Ability Festival, or to find out more about support services in the Snowy Monaro. Email council@smrc.nsw.gov.au or call 1300 345 345 to get in touch with the team by phone.