PSA: this weekend’s WA Day Festival 2024 has been cancelled
The rain giveth, and the rain taketh away!
Following heavy rainfall over the past two days, this weekend’s WA Day Festival has been cancelled.
Scheduled to take place on Sunday and Monday, the cancellation was announced on Thursday afternoon.
“Due to the heavy rainfall in the last 48 hours and the forecast of even heavier rains on the way, festival organisers have made the difficult decision to cancel the festival in the interests of public safety,” read the announcement on the WA Day Festival social media channels. The post was accompanied by a series of photos of Burswood Park, showing the waterlogged lawn covered in mud and large puddles.
“This decision has been made in conjunction with festival organisers, Burswood Park, Optus Stadium and the State Government,” the announcement continued.
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“We understand the disappointment this may cause and apologise for any inconvenience. The safety of our attendees, staff and performers is the Festival’s top priority.”
In addition to the large rainfall experienced over the past 48 hours, 20mm of rain is forecast for Saturday, followed by 45mm on Sunday and potential showers on Monday – further exacerbating existing waterlogging.
The two-day festival was due to feature a lineup of West Australian (and a few east coast) bands including POND, Eskimo Joe, the Waifs, End of Fashion, Grievous Bodily Calm and more – plus free family-friendly entertainment, carnival rides, food trucks, drone light show and fireworks spectacular.
“WA Day community celebrations will proceed in Albany, Carnarvon, Geraldton, Kalgoorlie, Fremantle and Northam. In addition to the WA Day Long Weekend festivities, the satellite events across the month of June in Busselton, Dampier and Newman will also continue as planned.”