Traditionally a celebration of the local community, with live music events, family activities and a focus on food, Wunta Fiesta will this year also feature some multi-cultural flair as a nod to the city's growing diversity. Taking place over three days, from Friday 3rd February until Sunday 5th February, Wunta Fiesta will see Warrnambool revel in five main events including local and interstate music acts, street markets, a few quirky local customs, organised family recreation and a party in the middle of the CBD.
Wunta Fiesta is a major annual event for the city of Warrnambool.
Friday 3rd February, 2012
Wunta begins with a public breakfast on the Civic Green from 7am until 9am. This fun summer gathering gets the city buzzing early in anticipation of the night's festivities. The cost is $2 a plate, with breakfast followed by a classic Warrnambool event, the Undy 500. A foot race with a twist, the Undy 500 is a long-standing favourite for local larrikins and spectators, where participants do their best to out-run modesty, taking to the track in just the bare essentials. Previous contestants in the stripped sprint have included Warrnambool mascot,
Captain Sustain the Bool (whose regular attire consists of cape, mask and undies anyway) and former mayor Michael Neoh.
Thirsty Merc will perform at Wunta Fiesta on Friday night.
By 5:30pm, the city enters party mode, with the Civic Green and some sections of the surrounding CBD fenced off for the evening celebrations. Entry is free for children and $5 for adults, allowing access to a whole host of stalls offering various multi-cultural cuisines, free rides and activities for kids, and live music from the Civic Green stage. Performers include local acts Jackson Greene,
Dave Burgess and
Crooked Rook, who will support Sydney pop-rock group,
Thirsty Merc.
Saturday 4th February, 2012
From 12:30pm until 6:00pm on Saturday, the Botanic Gardens will host Jazz in the Gardens. A gold coin donation will allow visitors entry to this afternoon of top live music in a lovely leafy setting. There will be a range of gourmet food available for purchase, as well as wine, and boutique beers from the local
Flying Horse Brewery.
Blue Heat will perform at Wunta Fiesta on Sunday afternoon.
Sunday 5th February, 2012
Enjoy breakfast by the bay at
The Warrnambool Breakwater on Sunday morning from 8am, then head to Lake Pertobe at midday for the classic car show and more than six hours of live music. Entry to Day at the Lake requires gold coin donation only, and will feature various performances by Brady James, Tommy Lie,
Red Eagle,
Blackwood Jack and
Blue Heat, making it a great day to take a picnic and enjoy the entertainment while the kids explore the
Lake Pertobe Adventure Playground.
Wunta Fiesta is an important event for the Warrnambool community, and the line-up of great events for 2012 promises a fun and entertaining experience for locals and visitors alike. For further information about the festival, check out the Wunta Fiesta
Facebook page, and get into the spirit of this seaside city's summer celebrations.
