Vibrant Finale for WA Day Festival
The 2025 WA Day Festival concluded on a spectacular note as thousands of West Australians filled Burswood Park on Sunday, marking the end of a vibrant two-day celebration that showcased the very best of Western Australian community spirit.
Family Fun and Future Innovators
Families from across Perth and visiting revellers found endless entertainment, with the Hancock Iron Ore Innovation and Education Alley proving particularly popular. Children engaged with hands-on exhibits, sparking curiosity about science and technology.
At the Perth Mint exhibit, young prospectors like seven-year-old Gaavan Narulla and his four-year-old brother Kiaan sifted through sand searching for gold nuggets. Their father, Ameet Narulla, praised the educational value, noting it helped explain the state's mining industry to his sons in an accessible way.
"The activities are practical and knowledgeable and absolutely will inspire them when it comes to choosing a career in the future," Mr Narulla said.
Thrills and Entertainment for All Ages
Adventure seekers lined up to explore a real-life RAC rescue helicopter, with the bravest participants trying VR simulations of emergency rescue missions. Carnival rides remained busy throughout the day, particularly the classic swings that maintained long queues.
The Hardwired BMX shows delivered high-energy performances, with six-year-old Ziggy becoming an unexpected crowd favourite as he executed impressive aerial tricks that left spectators in awe.
Eight-year-old Mahli, watching from his father's shoulders, declared "The tricks are so cool" and expressed his own ambitions to learn similar bike skills.
Unexpected Celebrations and Festival Favourites
With day three of the Ashes cancelled due to Australia's dominant performance, cricket fans like Michael Voros and his sons found alternative entertainment at the festival. "This has been great... an excellent next best thing," Voros commented.
Food enthusiasts gathered at the Spudshed Stage where Channel 7's Jerrie Demasi demonstrated cooking techniques, while those needing respite from the weather found comfort in the Seven West Media summer lounge with replays of sporting events and Australian television classics.
Despite challenging windy conditions that Premier Roger Cook had acknowledged earlier in the day, festival-goers remained undeterred, enjoying traditional fair food including gozleme, chips on sticks, and the ever-popular sausage sizzle.
Musical Finale and Community Spirit
As evening descended, the main stage came alive with performances from WA music legends Little Birdy and Jebediah, sending energy through the crowd and providing a perfect conclusion to the celebrations.
Little Birdy lead singer Katy Steele emphasized the importance of such community events, stating "Music is everything... these type of events help the artist and they help the community to be a more vibrant place."
Families like the Frasers, who have made the WA Day Festival an annual tradition, praised this year's milder weather compared to previous events, with many attendees already looking forward to next year's celebration.
