Moondyne Festival

The Moondyne Festival is a festival held in Toodyay, Western Australia, celebrating the life and times of Moondyne Joe. It is held annually on the first Sunday in May. This festival takes place in the main street, Stirling Terrace, with street theatre, market stalls, and demonstrations. During the festival, the town is described as being transported back in time.[3]

Moondyne Festival
Moondyne Festival Toodyay
Moondyne Festival Logo
StatusActive
GenreFestival
Date(s)First Sunday in May
FrequencyAnnually
VenueStirling Terrace
Location(s)Toodyay, Western Australia
Coordinates31.551°S 116.464°E / -31.551; 116.464[1]
CountryAustralia
Years active39
Inaugurated6 June 1984 (1984-06-06)
ActivityPeriod costume, street theatre, street stalls, art and antique displays
Websitemoondynefestival.com.au

The festival features costumes from the 19th century, street theatre involving the character of Moondyne Joe, street stalls, and displays of art and antiques.[4] Other characters portrayed include the "Swagmen" (Moondyne's gang), temperance ladies, the undertaker, and the barber.[5]

History

The Moondyne Festival was first held in 1984.[3]

In 2002, the Moondyne Festival was part of the national Year of the Outback celebrations.[6] In 2011, the festival was scheduled to be opened by the Governor of Western Australia, Ken Michael.[7]

The Moondyne Festival was nominated for and a finalist in the 2012 Perth Airport Events & Tourism Award. It was also nominated for a 2013 Heritage Award.[8] In 2014 the festival received funding from the State Government Regional Events Scheme. It was one of a number of regional festivals to benefit from $40 million (over four years) of funding from Royalties For Regions.[9]

See also
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Moondyne Festival 2013.

References
  1. "Toodyay". Gazetteer of Australia online. Geoscience Australia, Australian Government.Retrieved 30 December 2009.
  2. "Toodyay". Gazetteer of Australia online. Geoscience Australia, Australian Government.Retrieved 30 December 2009.
  3. "Moondyne Festival". Retrieved 5 May 2014.
  4. "Toodyay to host Moondyne Festival". The Avon Valley Advocate. 22 April 2014. Archived from the original on 6 May 2014. Retrieved 6 May 2014.
  5. "Festival to retrace Toodyay's colourful past". ABC News. 25 April 2013. Archived from the original on 29 April 2013. Retrieved 6 May 2014.
  6. Tom Stephens (23 April 2002). "Year of Outback is catching on". Ministerial Media Statements. Government of Western Australia. Archived from the original on 14 June 2004. Retrieved 6 May 2014.
  7. "Toodyay ready to take a step back in time". Hills Gazette. 16 April 2011. Archived from the original on 6 May 2014. Retrieved 6 May 2014.
  8. "Re-live the past" (PDF). Eastern Reporter. 30 April 2013. p. 23. Archived (PDF) from the original on 6 May 2014. Retrieved 6 May 2014.
  9. Gabrielle, Sophie (18 May 2013). "Festivals can celebrate funding". Avon Valley Gazette. Archived from the original on 6 May 2014. Retrieved 6 May 2014.
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