This year, the celebration of art and our environment will be showcased over one weekend.

The Footbeat Festival ‘Our Sustainable Footprint’ will be presented at Wentworth Falls TAFE from October 23-25.

Now in its 18th year, the Footbeat Festival celebrates the outstanding natural and cultural environment of the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains and its vibrant arts community.

Plans are well under way for a massive sustainability expo.

The entire TAFE campus will come alive with world music, food, fun, eco and environmentally focused stalls.

Footbeat will once again incorporate performing arts and educational initiatives to deliver vital environmental messages. The aim is to engage the community in the exploration of sustainability in all its facets.

To ensure these messages are relevant, Footbeat has teamed up with Blue Mountains community groups, non-profit organisations, small business and corporate as well as local government bodies.

The event coincides with International Climate Action Day and the United Nations Day celebrations.

“We are delighted to present Footbeat 2009 in conjunction with TAFE. This year will be the best ever and we have included a whole new range of activities especially for the kids,” said festival president Geoff Weule.

“Our program will also appeal to Blue Mountains residents and tourists. Footbeat Festival is now firmly fixed on the events calendar in the Blue Mountains. As president, I am delighted to be heading a great committee and a fantastic team of volunteers.

“Once again we have included the ‘48 Hour Film Project’, the biggest timed film competition in the world. We are also pleased to be in partnership with the Sydney arm of the project.

For information about how to book a stall or become a volunteer, visit www.footbeatfestival.com.au