The event will be held on Saturday, August 18 at Bicentennial Park, Tamworth, from 10am to 2pm and is open to everyone in the community and entry is free.

“The Festival of Abilities will showcase the wide variety of opportunities that are available in Tamworth and surrounding areas for all ages and abilities, allowing people to build social connections around common interests,” said event organiser Brett Pischke, Coordinator New England North West Ability Links.

“The festival was born from the work Ability Links does with its participants. Pathfinders’ Ability Links program is located in the New England and North West of NSW. Linkers work closely with people with disability, their families and carers by supporting participants to fulfil their goals, hopes and dreams.

“It does this through linking people with their local community. Whether their goal is to participate in sport, education, work, volunteering, or other activities, the participant remains at the centre of decision making about how they want to lead their life. Linkers have strong local knowledge and work alongside communities, supporting them to be welcoming and inclusive.”

The event has been growing from strength to strength since it started in 2015. Tamworth City Council, the local community and surrounding areas have already shown enthusiastic support for this year’s festival, with more than 40 local businesses and organisations registering to host a stall at the event.