FREEDOM2FLY FEST 2024: a SOARING SUCCESS
As the final curtain falls on this year’s Freedom2Fly Fest, we’re left basking in the unforgettable energy, excitement, and shared joy of a weekend filled with outstanding performances, community spirit, and soaring creativity. The 2024 festival brought together talented artists from across the country, welcomed eager audiences, and created magical memories that will last a lifetime. This year was nothing short of phenomenal, and we couldn’t have done it without our incredible sponsors, dedicated volunteers, and the local community who make Freedom2Fly possible.
A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Sponsors
To our sponsors who backed this vision from day one, thank you! Your support allowed us to create an event that shone as a beacon for the arts and brought people together from near and far. Your commitment goes beyond financial assistance—it’s a belief in the power of the arts to enrich lives, empower youth, and inspire the community. We are deeply grateful for your continued partnership and trust in us. This festival simply wouldn’t have been possible without your generous contributions.
To Our Volunteers: You’re the Real Stars!
Freedom2Fly Fest 2024 was seamless thanks to the passion and hard work of our volunteers. From coordinating logistics to welcoming attendees with open arms and ensuring that every detail ran smoothly, your dedication was unmatched. You are the backbone of this event, and we couldn’t have asked for a better team to bring our vision to life. Each of you has played an invaluable role in making Freedom2Fly Fest a success, and we hope you know how appreciated you are.
Highlights That Made This Year Extraordinary
This year’s Freedom2Fly Fest was packed with unforgettable moments, but in conjunction with the festival, there was a Sunday busking day that was organized by Valerie Bianchi, seeking opportunity to link circus and community. Sunday’s Busking Day on the closed-off Bow Street was a true festival highlight. The atmosphere was buzzing as national talents and local stars captivated audiences with an open-air celebration of performance art.
We kicked off the day with a beautiful karakia, setting a respectful and meaningful tone for the festivities. Next came a "Flash Mob"-inspired opening routine led by our very own Freedom2Fly students, who packed the stage with infectious energy. In an incredible display of community spirit, a few amazing parents and enthusiastic festival-goers jumped in and made this a truly heartwarming start to the day.
The busking lineup brought some of the country’s most beloved performers right into the heart of Raglan.
Adding to the vibrant ambiance, local bands and musicians treated the crowd to live music throughout the day, keeping the spirit high and the energy flowing.
Every act, every laugh, and every note played contributed to a magical day that brought our community closer together and showcased the incredible talent within and beyond Raglan.
Complementing the busking festivities was a powerful Hīkoi for Hauora and Suicide Awareness Day in Whaingaroa orchestrated by Raglan Naturally. This event raised much-needed awareness about mental health and provided an important platform for open conversations. The synergy between the joyful celebration of the arts and the meaningful discussions around mental well-being created a holistic experience for attendees, reminding us all of the importance of connection, understanding, and community care.
This Special Day was a testament to the power of performance, people and connection, and it’s thanks to everyone—performers, volunteers, parents, sponsors, and spectators—that it was such a success.
Looking to the Future
While the excitement of Freedom2Fly Fest 2024 still lingers, we’re already setting our sights on what’s next. Every festival is a learning experience, and we’re committed to making each year better, more inclusive, and even more impactful. With the support of our sponsors, volunteers, and community, we know we can continue to make Freedom2Fly Fest an annual highlight for our beautiful town.
Thank you again to everyone who contributed their time, energy, and resources to make Freedom2Fly Fest 2024 an event to remember. Here’s to many more years of celebrating creativity, passion, and the incredible talent that makes our community shine. See you next year!
A special family moment captured of F2F Founders Jess and Jay Ramirez with their kids Gabriel and Sofia at the end of THE BALANCING ACT SHOW which opened the F2F FEST for 2024 Thursday 7th November.
Special Shout out to our incredible F2F FEST sponsors this year:
Marek Kaniewski
FOHBOH -Front and Back of House
Georges Beach Club - Raglan
Whaingaroa Wahinemoe - Raglan Boat Charters
Hayden & Hayley Vink - Hay Property
SUNDAY BUSKING DAY SPONSORS
