Home
Search
thewest.com.au

Geraldton’s Sunshine Festival - regional WA’s longest running event - returns after three-year COVID hiatus

Jessica MoroneyGeraldton Guardian
A bubbly youngster greets the crowd during the 2019 Sunshine Festival street parade.
Camera IconA bubbly youngster greets the crowd during the 2019 Sunshine Festival street parade. Credit: Arctic Moon Photography/Supplied

The oldest-running regional festival is set to make its return after COVID restrictions halted the iconic community event, with this year’s theme all about Geraldton.

The annual Geraldton Greenough Sunshine Festival took a break between 2020-2023 because of COVID-19 restrictions, but chairman Ian Fisher said he looked forward to bringing back the more than 60-year-old event and seeing up to 6000 people throughout the day.

Mr Fisher said he expected the event would run as normal at Stow Gardens on October 1 with a float parade starting at Geraldton Courthouse and running along Marine Terrace.

Stalls will be available throughout the day while local artists perform their sets from 2pm. A band will perform a 30 to 40-minute set at the end to wrap up the event.

Mr Fisher said this year was a “Gero theme” and was looking forward to seeing what stallholders and performers were able to produce.

“Whatever you think Geraldton means to you is what we’re looking forward to. Be proactive and contact us rather than wait for us to contact you,” he said.

A rainy start to the day didn't discourage a huge crowd from joining the festivities at the 60th annual Sunshine Festival on Sunday.The Geraldton Surf Life Saving Club nippers were among many community groups to make an appearance in the ever-popular float parade.Picture: Adam Poulsen, Geraldton Guardian
Camera IconThe Geraldton Surf Life Saving Club nippers in a float at the 60th annual Sunshine Festival. Credit: Supplied
The iconic yellow submarine was paraded through Geraldton's Marine Terrace during the QTM Float Parade, as part of the Sunshine Festival. Picture: Adam Poulsen
Camera IconThe renowned yellow submarine parading along Marine Terrace. Credit: Supplied

Mr Fisher said the COVID situation created too much uncertainty for the festival to run last year.

“In actual fact it did get better and maybe we pulled the pin too early, but there was still a lot of precautions such as checking in, checking out and the two square metre rule,” he said.

“When it first come out we didn’t want to be responsible for an outbreak. It was very unknown back in 2020 and we didn’t want to be responsible for 5000-6000 people getting COVID.”

The committee will hold an AGM at the City Hive on Thursday, March 2 and urged everyone eager to participate to get involved and register their interest.

The Sunshine Festival Float Parade makes its way down Forrest Street in 1970. Picture: Bob Scamp, courtest of the Geraldton Regional Library
Camera IconThe Sunshine Festival Float Parade makes its way down Forrest Street in 1970. Credit: Bob Scamp, courtesty of the Geraldton Regional Library

“Nothing is definite, but we want to make it as big and bright as we can being away for two years,” he said.

“We’re getting on to things early — I know it’s been going on for 60 years — hopefully we’ll get 40-50 floats and get back to the old glory days and have lots and lots of them, it’s just about getting people on board.

“Everyone has a memory of the Sunshine Festival and there’s a lot of goodwill from businesses and individuals.”

The first Sunshine Festival ran in 1959.

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails