Hoedown was held over a weekend in August at Taunton Farm near Cowaramup. This was the event’s second year at its new location, having been held near Busselton for the past seven years. It’s a weekend with a lot of drinking, catching up with old friends, making new ones, letting your hair down at the Likka Barn on Friday and Saturday night with music and entertainment.

On Saturday night I asked the women around the campfire what the Hoedown was to them. For many women it was a weekend where they could be themselves, whether it meant getting dressed up in their finest country gear or spending the weekend in their pajamas and dressing gown. There were the usual dramas you get when a large number of lesbians congregate in one space but I saw so much positive support for women who wanted it.

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Friday night Andi waved her hat around getting sponsors for the big event the next night, she was shaving her head to raise money for Deb Beckett to go to Tamworth. Deb played a Patsy Cline set last year and was back with more of her own music this year. She was facing another round of cancer treatment so the assistance with the travel was much appreciated.

Saturday night with a bottle of courage in hand Andi sat down and lost her curly long locks. Knickers the Hoedown Hunny offered up her head and her partner Shaz’s, if they got more than two hundred dollars in the hat, the women delved deep in their pockets and more locks fell on the floor.

The Hoedown is heading for its 10th year in 2012 and it has grown from a dozen women meeting at organiser Nicky Knickers place, to over one hundred women attending at Taunton Farm. Knickers is hoping for two hundred in attendance next year.

I left the Hoedown, liver slightly bruised and more of me displayed than expected, when breasts flashed, trying to win the best decorated cabin – we called ours Flash Point. What will next year’s Hoedown hold?? I am looking forward to what will happen next year as it’s a great alternative weekend away. I’ll be seeing you there for whatever Hoedown becomes for you.

Sam Wallin

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