The Kiama International Seaside Arts Festival, better known as KISS Arts, is going ahead six months later than usual this year, and founders Dave and Tamara Campbell say it’s for the better.

With a commitment to continue KISS as a free event for the public, funding issues have caused the annual Festival to move from its traditional April dates to October. [If you can't wait till then to get your KISS fix, there is a special fundraising Kabaret on 21 April - see details below.]

"The Destination NSW Flagship Event funding was delayed in being released and we were eligible to apply for triennial funding," Tamara says.

"We didn’t want to miss out because it will help our event not just this year but for the next three.

"It will give us some security, the ability for continued growth and even more fun for the audience."

The pair’s goal to expand the event this year helped lighten the decision to postpone.

(photo: Peter Izzard Photography)

"We didn’t want to compromise our vision of the size of the event because last year it was so well populated that we think expansion is something we can absolutely do," Tamara says.

The October festival will see the return of the classics like the tent shows, circus drop zone and café de rude but will also include new offerings such as an adventure playground which will turn recycled materials into a musical showcase.

Tamara also hopes October will see the festival goers in a more ‘spring has sprung’ mood to help boost the evening part of the Festival.

She promises, "KISS will be back bigger than ever in a new part of the year.

"Despite the change of dates people should come along, be part of the fun and have that beautiful experience of shared joy and laughter that KISS is always about."

The KISS Arts Festival will unfold along Black Beach on 20-22 October.

Special edition KISS Kabaret

For those who can’t wait, there will be an adult only ‘KISS Kabaret’ at Kiama Pavilion to make up for the Festival’s delay – with jugglers, acrobats, musicians and stuntmen set to fill the space.

Ironbark Photography captured the spirit of a previous Kabaret at The Pavilion

"There will be some fabulous artists from across the country and locally. It will be a great way for people to show their support and help raise more money for the Festival," Tamara says.

Book a table or a single ticket for Fri 21 April at trybooking.com