Toodyay- Moondyne Festival

Moondyne Festival, Toodyay

Sunday 5th May 2024 9AM – 4PM

The town of Toodyay celebrate its 40th year of Moondyne Festival and will step back in time to celebrate the life and times of the iconic Moondyne Joe by hosting the Moondyne Festival Toodyay bringing the infamous Avon Valley bushranger Moondyne Joe and his escapades to life. The highlight of the day being the re-enactment of Moondyne Joe’s various escapades and his mock trials.

The festival is the premier colonial festival in WA, first held in 1984 to celebrate the life and times of ‘Joseph Bolitho John’s, known as ‘Moondyne Joe’, the Avon Valley’s legendary bushranger.

The festival transforms the picturesque historical town of Toodyay into a lively all- day festival with the sound of song, dance, laughter and fun for the whole family.

The opening ceremony is at 10am.   Locals and guests are encouraged to dress in 19^th century costumes for a colourful procession down the Main Street followed by a fun, colourful, energetic and noisy parade with street actors, stilt walkers, town crier, blacksmith, wood chopping and much more.

Some period costumes are available for loan to wear at the festival, email    moondynecommittee@gmail.com for details.

Cheer on ‘Joe’s Gang’ and the floozies, coppers, swaggie and town crier as Joe is tried by a kangaroo court convicted by a corrupt judge and escaped with the assistance of local inhabitancy who love Joe, one would say he was the WA equivalent of Ned Kelly or Robin Hood.

The festival will be held on Stirling Terrace Toodyay which will be closed off to traffic from 8am to 4pm Sunday May 5th 2024.

As well as the street entertainment, there will be a variety of stalls, displays, performances and demonstrations.   Check out the 10th Light Horse display, Barn Baby’s Animal Farm, Western Australian Reptile Park or take a ride on the Perth Horse and Carts and Billy Carts.

Toodyay’s own Nathan Coleman will be playing as well as the Pioneers Bush Bank, Paul Davis Entertainment.  Avon-Fun Dance Club will be joining us as well and Zig Zag Community Arts.

Listen to Bush Poets, Australia’s early settler’s folk music that will include Irish, Scottish, Italian and English music performed by various entertainers. Enjoy once again the very popular Royal Australian Navy Band and Toodyay Community Singers.

The festival follows through the main town site to the beautiful Duidgee Park resting on the banks of the Avon River which will be filled with speciality craft and food stalls. Events include log chopping, blacksmithing, bush poetry, stilt walkers, Horse & cart rides, Reptile Display, Historical Tools restoration, and of course the ever-popular Swaggie Camp.  Kids amusement rides, and a visit to Moondyne Joe’s cell at the old Newcastle Gaol Museum.

The mini train ride at Duidgee Park is always a highlight of the day.

This event is packed full of family fun and kids’ entertainment. Children will be delighted with stilt walkers, carnival, face painting, balloon twisting, petting zoo and old fashion games like hopscotch, sack race, egg and spoon, skipping, quoits and much more.

Make sure you don’t miss this brilliant event suitable for all ages.

For more information and to view the events programme visit www.moondynefestival.com.au or Face Book  https://www.facebook.com/Moondynefestival

Or     Email contact moondynecommittee@gmail.com

MOONDYNE FESTIVAL, TOODYAY 2024