Home and Away Stars Steal Spotlight at Mandurah Crab Fest's Milestone Celebration
Thousands of enthusiastic attendees packed the Mandurah Foreshore on Saturday to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the iconic Channel 7 Mandurah Crab Fest, with the event drawing massive crowds eager to indulge in delicious crustacean delights and catch a glimpse of celebrity guests.
Celebrity Appearances Draw Massive Crowds
The festival's highlight for many was the appearance of newly engaged Home and Away stars Ada Nicodemou and James Stewart, who participated in a cooking demonstration and meet-and-greet session that attracted hundreds of fans. Stewart expressed his amazement at the fan reaction, noting how some attendees were visibly nervous when meeting them.
"It's humbling," Stewart said. "We don't get to see them that often, and some of them come up and they're shaking. I'm like 'it's OK, it's OK.' I'm not Chris Hemsworth, but they love this show."
The actor reflected on the unique connection fans have with the long-running television series, explaining that even simple scenes resonate deeply with viewers who find comfort in the characters' lives.
Engagement Stories and Behind-the-Scenes Details
Nicodemou proudly showed off her impressive engagement ring backstage, revealing that the couple designed it together. She shared that while she knew the proposal was coming, Stewart managed to keep the exact timing a surprise.
"I was surprised and didn't expect it because he didn't seem nervous," Nicodemou confessed about the Valentine's Day proposal.
Stewart admitted to feeling nervous despite his calm exterior, describing the proposal experience as uniquely challenging for men. The couple also shared that their Home and Away colleague Ray Meagher, who plays Alf Stewart, was among the first to learn about their engagement and offered fatherly advice to Stewart.
Culinary Delights and Festival Atmosphere
The festival featured more than 50 food vendors offering an impressive array of crab dishes, including:
- Steaming bowls of curry crab
- Creative crab tacos
- Singapore chilli crab
- Fried rice with curry crab
Former MasterChef contestant Brendan Pang was another culinary highlight, demonstrating how to prepare coconut fish curry with yoghurt flatbread. Pang praised the festival's food offerings, particularly enjoying how the crab juices infused the fried rice.
Entertainment and Activities for All Ages
The 25th anniversary celebration offered diverse entertainment options that kept approximately 40,000 attendees engaged throughout the day:
- Mini jet-boats racing across the bay
- Roller-skating, skateboarding, scooter, and BMX competitions
- Live music performances on the main stage
- An evening set by DJ Havana Brown
- A spectacular fireworks display to conclude the festivities
Families and food enthusiasts traveled from across Western Australia to participate in the milestone event, with some attendees making the journey from as far as Joondalup specifically to meet celebrity guests and sample the culinary offerings.
Community Support and Future Prospects
The successful 25th anniversary celebration follows recent government support that ensures the Mandurah Crab Fest will continue for at least three more years, securing its place as a beloved community event that combines culinary excellence with entertainment and celebrity appeal.
Stewart and Nicodemou expressed their affection for Western Australia, noting they typically visit several times each year for events like Crab Fest and Telethon, further strengthening the connection between the television personalities and their enthusiastic local fan base.
