Telethon Family Festival: 24,000 visit Optus Stadium for festival of fun

Around 24,000 West Aussies enjoyed the sunshine at the Telethon Family Festival this afternoon.

Optus Stadium has been transformed into a fiesta of fun as thousands of families check out live entertainment, rides, activities and food-trucks.

A petting zoo, silent disco, and circus were among the attractions on offer – but four year-old Jessie Roberts, clutching a Fat Cat doll – had her eyes on one thing only.

“I saw Fat Cat!” she declared. “I saw him over there!”

Inside the stadium, attendees were wowed by amazing live entertainment on the Winning Appliances Community Stage.

Tiani Glasgow – a year 10 student from Georgiana Molloy Anglican School in Yalyalup – had travelled up to perform a duet with her best friend onstage.

“We were a little bit nervous at the start but it was such an amazing experience being onstage,” she said.

“It’s such a great cause and we’re really happy to be a part of it.”

Sponsored by Coles, HBF, Winning Appliances, APM and Early Start Learning, the family festival will help raise money for Telethon.

The APM charity trail – a walk showcasing some of the annual fundraiser’s beneficiaries – was packed with kids learning about the important work that Telethon donations fund.

Superfins – a swimming club for people with disabilities – attracted extra attention due to a picture of one of its most famous alumni, Paralympic Gold Medallist and former little Telethon star Ben Popham.

“This is a fabulous day out, it provides exposure for organisations that wouldn’t usually have that much exposure,” said swim coach Danielle Lysle.

“It’s great to be down here.”