The town of Toodyay will step back in time yet again to celebrate the life and times of the iconic Moondyne Joe by hosting the Moondyne Festival Toodyay, the home of Healthy Fun. Bringing the infamous Avon Valley bushranger Moondyne Joe and his escapades to life. The highlight of the day being the re-enactment of Moondyne Joe’s various escapades and his mock trials.
The festival is the premier colonial festival in WA, first held in 1984 to celebrate the life and times of Joseph Bolitho John–known as ‘Moondyne Joe–the Avon Valley’s legendary bushranger.
The festival transforms the picturesque historical town of Toodyay into a lively all- day festival with the sound of song, dance, laughter and fun for the whole family.
WATCHING THE TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS
The opening ceremony is at 10am, locals and guests dress in 19th Century costumes for a colourful procession down the main street, headed by the musket-firing Rifle and Artillery Regiment 1860, and will be followed by a fun, colourful, energetic and noisy parade with street actors, pipe band, blacksmith, wood chopping and much more.
Cheer on ‘Joe’s Gang’ and the floozies, coppers, swaggies and town crier as Joe is tried by a kangaroo court, convicted by a corrupt judge and escapes with the assistance of local inhabitants who love Joe. One would say he was the WA equivalent of Ned Kelly or Robin Hood!
The festival will be held on Stirling Terrace Toodyay which will be closed off to traffic from 9am to 4pm Sunday May 2nd 2021. With free entry and entertainment the town will have the atmosphere of a wild town fair.
ENTERTAINERS
As well as the street entertainment, there will be a variety of stalls, displays, performances and demonstrations. Visiting the antique and collectors fair is also a must.
Greg Hastings will delight us again with his rich voice, and wealth of songs and stories including some didgeridoo pieces. Arts Toodyay will present local art at the CWA Hall, while the Mad Tatters Morris Dancers and Toodyay Community Singers provide entertainment along the main street.
Listen to colonial Australia, early settler’s folk music that will include Irish, Scottish, Italian and English performed by various entertainers.
CRAFTS AND TRADES FROM YESTERYEAR
The festival follows through the main town site to the beautiful Duidgee Park resting on the banks of the Avon River which will be filled with specialty craft and food stalls.
Events include log chopping, shearing, blacksmithing, bush poetry, stilt walkers, Clydesdale cart rides, sheering, wood turning, Kalamunda Pipe Band and of course the ever popular Swaggie Camp.
This event is packed full of family fun and kids’ entertainment. Children will be delighted with stilt walkers, carnival, face painting, balloon twisting, petting zoo and old fashion games like hopscotch, sack race, egg and spoon, skipping, quoits and much more.
Make sure you don’t miss this brilliant event suitable for all ages.
For more information and to view the events programme visit www.moondynefestival.com.au or contact moondynecommittee@gmail.com