Kenilworth Arts Council is delighted to acknowledge the generous support of Sophie and Mark Bingham from Kenilworth Country Cabins, a major sponsor of this year’s ArtsFest and long‑time champion of our community events.

Sophie and Mark’s connection to Kenilworth runs deep.  From Sophie’s years teaching at Kenilworth school to the many holidays and camping trips that inspired them to establish their welcoming cabin accommodation three years ago. Guests love the peaceful setting, the easy walk to town, and the chance to unwind by the river and to explore the beauty of the Blackall Range.

With a range of studio, one‑bedroom, two‑bedroom, and accessible cabins - all beautifully presented and affordably priced - Kenilworth Country Cabins offers a comfortable stay for families, workers and festival‑goers alike. Get the best rate by booking directly with Sophie!

The property is also home to a wonderful collection of local art, including chainsaw carvings of Kenny the Cowboy and Mel the Cowgirl created by  Lazy Logs chainsaw artist Mel Schweiger .  In addition, guests are stopped in their tracks by a striking metalwork bull which greets visitors along the fence line – the artworks are a true celebration of the talent and creativity that makes our region special.

We are truly thankful to Sophie and Mark for their generosity and support of this year’s ArtsFest and their belief in the value of arts in our community which makes this and other events possible.

And to all our talented artist out there - if you’re interested in taking on a family portrait commission, then Sophie would love to hear from you.

Kenilworth Dairies is a cherished community partner of ArtsFest, generously supporting the creativity and connection that makes our region so special.

For over 20 years Poppa’s Café at Kenilworth Dairies has been a meeting point for locals looking to graze on some local cheeses, yoghurts and chocolate mousse.  It’s the cellar door for dairy in the Mary. Over the last year they’ve added a new menu range that includes burgers, toasties, salads, wraps and sweet treats like scones, chocolate-coated macadamias and local fudge, popcorn and ice-cream.

Café Supervisor Alisha told us that days at Poppa’s Café can be busy: ‘Opening at 7.30am for bacon and egg burgers, coffee and a full breaky menu, lunch from 10am, feeding all the staff from the factory, and closing at 3pm after our regulars and tourists have bought local jams, chutneys, sauces, nuts and ice-creams keeps us running every day, but I love the buzz it brings to Kenilworth.’

Grab a cheese sampling box to try their most popular cheeses, or roll out one of their picnic rugs on the lawn and nibble on the most generous ploughmans platter on the east coast.

Poppa’s café chef Paul says ‘the three little pigs toastie with pulled pork, bacon, cheese and wrapped in prosciutto is my go-to for lunch.  My wife loves the haloumi salad or the corn fritters with camembert, but that sounds a bit healthy for me’.

An increasing number of bus tours now make Poppa’s Café a destination stop. The café provides lunch for groups of up to 50 people, with easy bus parking and the choice of three menus.  Each group booking includes complementary cheese sampling, as well as talk about the history of the dairy and the Mary Valley.

Owned by local dairy farmer John Cochrane since 2017, the dairy provides milk, yoghurt, ice-cream, cheese and mousse to over three thousand supermarkets around Australia.

Come and visit us, it’s “Kenilworth it!”

We’re deeply grateful to Kenilworth Dairies for their ongoing support of ArtsFest and for everything they do to nourish both our community and its creative spirit.

Tucked into the main street of Kenilworth, West ’N Colour is far more than a shop — it’s a living expression of Sue McMah’s lifelong love of the Western frontier, Mexican craftsmanship, and the rugged beauty of country Australia. Since opening her doors in 2014, Sue has built a store that draws visitors across the Sunshine Coast and beyond, offering an eclectic mix of country clothing, Mexican treasures and unique giftware.

A passion born from old Westerns

Sue’s love affair with all things cowboy began with the classic Hollywood Western films of the John Wayne era. Those dusty landscapes, wide‑brimmed hats and memorable characters sparked a fascination that grew into an amazing collection of hats, boots, belts, shirts and western apparel. Over time, her collection became the foundation of West ’N Colour – where every item carries a story.

A lifelong connection to Mexico

In her earlier life, Sue travelled through Texas and Mexico, falling in love with the colour, artistry and spirit of Mexican culture and that connection has never left her.  Sue’s store features handwoven Mexican rugs, artisan hand-stitched bags and wearable works of art which Sue has spent years sourcing and bringing home to Kenilworth.

Two shops, one vision

West ’N Colour now spans both sides of Elizabeth Street. On one side, you’ll find the clothing, Mexican treasures and giftware (look out for the iconic print of Roy Rogers and Trigger). Across the road sits the dedicated boot store, stocked with men’s, women’s and children’s boots in every style, colour and size imaginable.  And whether you’re looking for something traditional or something with a bit of sparkle - you’ll find it here.  Not to mention the plethora of locally crafted saddlery items, leather care products, and a wide range of apparel.

A warm welcome from a country local

What makes West ’N Colour unforgettable isn’t just the stock — it’s Sue herself. She has a natural warmth that makes every visitor feel instantly at home. Her deep knowledge, breezy smile and genuine interest in helping people find the right hat, or perfect pair of boots is what gets her out of bed every day and that day starts early!

Life on the land

Outside the shop, Sue’s life is even more hectic on her property as she runs cattle and horses and cares for 12 working dogs - a daily rhythm that keeps her constantly on the move. Long‑standing staff, both on the farm and in the shop (Pam has been with her 25 years), have been her steadfast companions through the highs and lows of country life.

Camp ovens, community and resilience

Sue also has an impressive collection of original Furphy camp ovens, once used to cook slow, traditional meals over hot coals - five‑kilo rumps cooked low and slow until tender.  Are you hungry yet?  In previous years, Sue and her family hosted busloads of tourists from Brisbane for camp‑oven lunches and gatherings on her property, usually paired with a visit to the old cheese factory (now the Kenilworth Dairy) before heading home.

They say country people are built tough, and Sue embodies that spirit. She has weathered the challenges of business, climate and life with resilience, humour and grit - qualities that reflect the heart of rural Australia.

A must‑visit in Kenilworth

A trip to Kenilworth isn’t complete without a trip to West ’N Colour. Put it at the top of your list next time you’re in K‑Town.  Maybe for the Kenilworth Ember and Harvest Weekend - Sue will get you boot-scootin’ ready!

West ‘N Colour on Facebook

Kerbside Collective creates nature based films, music videos and theatre shows that are accessible and uplifting - They focus heavily on community engagement and creating works that invite the audience to be involved; from volunteer community extras in their films to their community choirs in touring shows, this company is all about creating deep engagement with audiences and telling meaningful messages of social cohesion and togetherness.

They work alongside other local arts companies including Catbird Theatre, who specialise in creating works for young people, and Burger Joint + Junior Burger - an epic duo of music appealing to all and their rock n roll band for kids! Kerbside's shows tour nationally and they have won awards for their music film clips, and short films including “Film clip of the year 2020”, “Best community storytelling 2025” and “Best Sound design 2025”.

Check out their work below and for access to tickets.

Silence of the Jams II - Lack of Judgement Day

Kerbside Collective Facebook

Hannah's cafe is the beating heart of Kenilworth's creative community - art and food for the soul.  What could be more perfect?

Stepping into Hannah's feels like Christmas every day.  It's a treasure trove of artistic endeavors and a place where local makers and creators can showcase their work.  From jewellery, hand-made soaps, cards and gifts to bespoke artworks and limited-edition prints - if you're in need of a gift or just fancy treating yourself - you're in the right place.

Not only that, tucked beside the café is a dedicated artists’ laneway - a free space where artists can display and sell their work.  The variety and range of art on display showcases the depth of creative talent in our community.  Hannah is passionate about supporting local artists and establishing the laneway creates an inspiring and welcoming space where creativity can flourish.

Did someone say food?  You're in luck, Hannah makes a mean coffee and a delicious range of homemade food and sweet treats.  Believe me, once you sit down - it's hard to leave.  

Don't leave town without dropping in - H's Delights (opposite the Donut shop).