Source : PERTHNOW NEWS
WA has so much to celebrate that West Australians are about to be given special opportunities to do it twice this year.
Fremantle will finally get to hold its WA Day festivities on Sunday — four months after an event planned for the State’s actual public holiday of June 1 were scuppered by a State-wide tornado forecast.
Most of the fun and free entertainment that had been lined up was able to be rescheduled, ensuring there will be a trove of spectacular performances and cultural experiences across Fishing Boat Harbour and Bathers Beach.
The hub will come alive from 11am with live music from 80s anthems, a tribute to Bon Scott, Cuban music, samba, Filipino street dance, dragon dancing and thunderous Taiko drumming.
The multicultural approach continues with roving performers such as Carnival Fiesta, Brazilian rhythms, Venetian Masquerade characters and Vintage Beach Belles.
Kids will have plenty to do as well, including mini-kite making, WA-themed colouring and mascot appearances.
And for car lovers, there will be a showcase involving Barbagallo RAMs and the Corvettes of WA Car Club.
While the spotlight is on Fremantle this weekend, plans are also coming together for the State’s biggest celebration event in November.
The WA Day Festival will again be held over two days in Burswood Park, with organisers Celebrate WA set to reveal new attractions and the free music line-up by the end of the month.
Celebrate WA is also the organisation behind the rescheduled Fremantle event, which chairman Scott Jones says is simply an opportunity for people to remember how special it is to be West Australian.
“What we hope people take away from Sunday is a real sense of pride in Western Australia and a stronger connection to the community around them,” Mr James said.
“It’s about bringing people together, sharing stories, experiencing different cultures and celebrating everything we have in common. And importantly, we want these celebrations to be accessible to everyone.”
The weather forecast is far kinder than the wild winds and flood alerts that cancelled the port city’s June event, with a top of around 19 degrees expected Sunday and rain — if any — due early before conditions clear through the day.
Mr Jones said the line-up of fun would more than make up for the cancelled event earlier in the year, adding: “Most importantly, we’re looking forward to giving the Fremantle community the celebration they missed out on in June, and we’d encourage everyone to come down, bring a jacket and enjoy everything on offer.”
