Pingelly FAM Festival: Hundreds enjoy popular Wheatbelt weekend celebrating flowers, music, and art

More than 1000 people travelled from across the state to visit a “wonderful part of the country” in WA’s Wheatbelt for a weekend of floral scenery, local art, live performances, and eye-catching floats. For the first time, Pingelly FAM Festival — which celebrates flowers, art, and music — coincided with the Tutanning Wildflower Day celebrating the reserve’s 61st anniversary alongside about 1300 festival-goers and nature lovers. The fun-filled weekend began at 11am on Saturday with 35 market stalls and food vans set up at the Pingelly Recreation and Cultural Centre offering handmade crafts, local produce, unique gifts, activities and more. Pingelly’s chief executive Andrew Dover said everyone was elated with the event, with many coming from outside of Pingelly to attend. “It is bringing back tourists to the region, letting people know there are lovely things to do beyond traditional activities in Perth,” Mr Dover said. “It is a wonderful part of the country and the locals have a good day out without having to travel the kilometres which we normally would have to. “The turnout exceeded expectations and it was great to see everyone enjoying themselves.” Creatives Natalie Veal and Roy Smith impressed onlookers with their live mural artworks with Ms Veal painting a woman with flowers in her hair and Mr Smith painting the Pm 706 Narrogin steam locomotive. The float competition was full of eye-catching creations, which the Pingelly Community Garden won with its impressive painted wooden flower display. Linda Townend received $500 for winning the open overall adult art competition award and Sunny Wilkes received $200 as the overall young person winner. Live music by Pingelly Community Choir, Doug Goldsmith, Midnight Francene and the Hootnannies entertained crowds throughout the day surrounded by vibrant artistic flower displays. On Sunday at 10am, Les Marshall led the traditional Tutanning Wildflower Walk organised by the Pingelly Tourism Group at the Tutanning Nature Reserve east of the shire. The tour scouted the numerous native flowers in bloom and served morning tea and lunch for the walking group.