Kernewek Lowender Copper Coast Cornish Festival 2025

Post

Subscribe

Mon 12 May 2025 - Sun 18 May 2025

When? Monday 12th May to Sunday 18th May, 2025
Where? Across the Copper Coast, centred in Moonta, Kadina and Wallaroo, South Australia
Cost? Individual events cost various amounts (some are free)

All images have been taken from the official programme unless otherwise indicated



The Kernewek Lowender Copper Coast Cornish Festival is a biennial festival celebrating the Cornish heritage of the region, coming from the copper mines that saw the area bloom in the latter half of the 1800s. The festival itself dates back to 1973, and it has become one of the highlights of the local calendar.

While it does appeal more to those with a historical mindset, interested in times past, there is more than enough for everyone spread over the seven days and three towns.

The local community really gets behind the event, with stalls and displays and volunteering, and the participants cover all ages, from the school children to those who have lived decades in the region.



Some events happen every day, some are specific to certain days, and some only for one day, so make sure you look at the programme to work out your itinerary. One of the more important events to locals is the Dressing of the Graves, where pioneers and locals buried in the Moonta, Wallaroo, Kadina and Greens Plains cemeteries are remembered. Family members and volunteers nominate those to be remembered, and a book is produced to commemorate these people and their lives.

One of the popular events is the RAA Classic Cavalcade of Cars and Motorcycles, leaving from Wallaroo, and going through Wallaroo, Moonta and finishing in Kadina. The roads are lined with people watching the vehicles, and then, for a nominal amount, visitors can go to the Kadina Oval to get up close and personal with the vehicles.



Events include Heritage Walks, art and craft exhibitions, open museums, high teas, music performances, classes on traditional arts and crafts, dances, and street fairs, plus there is also plenty of food available, both contemporary and traditional.

There are also some book launches, including a book about the nearly forgotten and long-gone Wallaroo Gaol, and a group of local authors will be giving readings.

My own agenda will include one of the Dressing of the Graves ceremonies, a heritage walk, the book launch, the author readings event, watching the cavalcade of cars, attending two of the street fairs, going to the Gathering of the Bards, and hopefully getting to the heritage football match. Plus anything else I find over the week to join in with.

The programme, tickets and further information are all available online at the official website . (If the link does not work: https://www.kernewek.org/)

You will need to book early for accommodation if staying for a while, though it is only two hours from Adelaide. This is always a popular and well-attended festival, and I would recommend booking tickets in advance.



In my opinion, a really good week. Come for the whole time, for a few days, or just for one day. I am sure you will have fun.

#festival
#arts_culture
#markets
#event
#wallaroo
#moonta
%wnkadina
%wnadelaide