perthmunchkin
9 August 2017
Armadale is such a big fan of Spring that they’ve decided that for 2017 that the Visit Armadale Spring Into Armadale festivities will kick off a month early on 1 August! This four month long extravaganza encompasses the suburbs in the city of Armadale and also the surrounding. In a jam packed program (which you can find here) there is something for everyone, with over 60 unique events and experiences.
While my focus is largely on all things food related, I’ve recently been reminded that getting back to nature, stepping away from the computer screen and taking myself outside is entirely lovely and very revitalising. I have enjoyed some beautiful walking trails in this part of the world with my dogs, like Ellis Brook Valley, so I look forward to checking some more of those out too and these four months of festivities provides a great opportunity to do so.
I’ve had a look through the program and here’s a few of the events that I’m liking the sound of…..
One of the first events on the program is the LiveLighter Serpentine Jarrahdale Community Fair. Mundijong is not too far from my in laws, so I’m thinking that it seems like a fun spot for a family catch up. There are some really talented artists in WA, so it is always great to have the opportunity to check out some of their work and maybe find something unique and beautiful to take home with you. I also really like that a portion of funds raised goes towards local community initiatives. So that’s where I expect I’ll be on Saturday, sussing out those international food stalls for some a tasty lunch!
LiveLighter Serpentine Jarrahdale Community Fair
Up to 20,000 people flock annually to the LiveLighter SJ Community Fair and exhibition. So save the date and be sure to make time to stroll through over 150 market stalls including the arts and crafts exhibition in the CRC building function hall. See locally crafted woodwork, metalwork and textiles. There is no need to go hungry during this day out as we have a large range of international food stalls and local entertainment to create ambience. Join us at the LiveLighter SJ Community Fair for a fabulous experience and know that your money will be well spent. This event is a fundraiser for local community groups and projects.
- Date 12 August
- Time 10 – 4pm
- Venue Paterson Street, Mundijong
- Price Free entry
For me though as I looked through the program the one event I knew that I just had to go to, because it is a massive oversight that I haven’t previously, was to venture to Araluen and actually see all their beautiful tulips in full bloom. It’s like every year I see them on social media and in print, but I’ve never gotten myself there. This oversight shall be rectified this season and you’d better believe there’ll be a picnic basket in tow.
It’s Yates Springtime at Araluen
Springtime at Araluen features over 120,000 tulips planted throughout the park as well as thousands of other bulbs and flowers. Join us this spring for an enchanting journey of colour in Perth’s Hills. Araluen is a wonderful place to have a picnic, wander over bridges with softly cascading waters beneath and refresh your life with its beautiful scenery. Well-kept unique park facilities including barbeques, a gift shop and Chalet Healy for coffee and light luncheons are a delight. A program of events occurs throughout the Spring Festival for your enjoyment.
Visitor information is available in the pop-up in the central grassed area.
- Date 18 August to 22 September
- Time 9 – 6pm
- Venue Araluen Botanic Park
- Event contact Marie-Adeline Paris
- Price Adult $15 Children $7 Concession $12 Family $40 Group $10
The program does a great job of letting you know when and where the markets will be on during the Spring into Armadale festival, and this extends into the hills with the Roleystone Markets and also the Kalamunda Farmers Markets, which I’ve been to a few times and there’s a lovely range of fresh produce on offer! And speaking of the hills I love the sound of the Perth Hills Festival in October! The chance to enjoy some fresh, local produce and actually talk to farmers who grew it! I think this one is a great event for the kids so that they can learn more about how their apples and pears make it to their lunchboxes.
Perth Hills Festival
Meet the farmer at this country style expo. The whole family can enjoy local produce displays, the latest small farm agricultural equipment, workshops of horticultural innovations, free kids’ entertainment. Plant sales, take home a fruit tree or purchase locally grown fresh fruit. Free rides and free fruit giveaways and over 60 exhibitors including wine, preserves and cake stalls.
- Date 7 October 2017
- Time 9am – 4pm
- Venue Old Station Road, Karragullen
- Price Adult $12, Children over 12 $5, seniors $5 and under 12s free
Hawkers Markets are always such a fun night out, I love how much variety is on offer on the food front, everything always smells so wonderfully tempting, and there’s always something new to try! So it is great to see two hawkers markets evenings in the program, albeit slightly further out in November, but it is good to plan ahead.
Hawkers Markets
If you love great food, culture and live music, then these markets are for you! As we head into summer it’s a perfect excuse to take a night off cooking and eat out with your family and friends. Set in the leafy surrounds of Memorial Park, it’s the perfect place to bring the kids as they can play in the adventure playground and run around on the grass in the large amphitheatre. Indulge in exotic cuisines from a variety of food trucks, then sit back and enjoy live music and performances inspired by different cultures across the world.
- Date 3 November and 10 November
- Time 5.30 – 8.30pm
- Venue Memorial Park, Corner of Orchard Avenue and Jull Street
- Price Free
So yes my mind is always on food, food, food, but beyond that there is plenty of other great events on offer. Art lovers will be in their element, the fashionistas will surely enjoy the fashion show and for families there is plenty to see and do throughout the festival months. A few of the hero events are mentioned below…
Outside the Frame Art Awards
Outside the Frame Art Awards showcases some of the best contemporary artwork by young artists across metropolitan Perth. The exhibition will feature over 100 thought provoking works, sharing current trends and thoughts directly from the minds of our youth. Open to students in years 11 and 12 from across the Perth in six categories; painting, drawing, prints, sculpture, digital media/photography and textiles. Participants can enter into the People’s Choice Awards by voting for their favourite artwork, to win a prize to the value of $100. Smoke free event.
- Date 12 – 20 August
- Time 11 – 4pm
- Venue Armadale District Hall, Jull Street Armadale
- Price Free
Armadale Hills Open Studio Arts Trail
Local Armadale Perth hills artists open their private studios for an intimate view of their inspiring creative processes. On the arts trail discover an extraordinary array of beautiful paintings, watercolours, pastels, textiles, couture, ceramics and stoneware, steel sculptures, fine wood turning, featuring strong influences from our natural hills environment, innovative textiles and techniques, plus ingenious ceramics and sculptures.
- Date 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24 September
- Venue Various
- Price Free
Highland Gathering with the Perth Kilt Run
Join us to celebrate all things Scottish at the largest Highland Gathering event in Western Australia. The morning begins with the fun and quirky Perth Kilt Run, the only fun run in Australia that’s done in a kilt! You’ll have the rest of the day to experience Scottish arts and crafts, highland dancing, bagpipe competitions, the heavy events competitions and of course test your taste buds with haggis and other Scottish delights. Let your imagination run wild in the medieval fair or the clan village and then kick up your heels with live music from some of Perth’s best artists.
- Date 10 September
- Time 8.30am – 4pm
- Venue Minnawarra Park
- Price Free
Roleystone Market
The little village of Roleystone invites you to enjoy a spring market experience in a bushland environment.
Stroll among 100 handpicked stalls while being entertained by wandering musicians from the Roleystone Musicians Club
- Date 10 September
- Venue Cross Park, Corner of Jarrah and Wygonda Road
- Price Free
Jarrahdale Log Chop and Serpentine Jarrahdale Lions Country Fair
Marvel at the world class wood choppers – children’s rides – entertainment – variety charities. Food available, licensed bar
- Date 1 October
- Time 10am
- Venue Jarrahdale Oval
- Price Free
Make Smoking History Kelmscott Show
Friday night has the Spectacular Freestyle Moto X bikes and Fireworks Spectacular. Saturday is family day and hosts the popular Kelmscott Idol singing finals on the main stage, along with heaps of supporting musical performances. Over 80 exhibitors will showcase trade, variety and food and there are over 50 craft stalls to stroll around. There will be animal displays including sheep, goats, cattle, donkeys, pigeons, poultry, reptiles, alpacas and a nursery for children. For the third year we will have the very popular KIDS ZONE.
- Date 20-21 October
- Time Friday 4 – 9pm, Saturday 9am – 6pm
- Venue Rushton Park, Orlando Street, Kelmscott
- Price Adult $16 Children $ 10 Concession $ 10 Family $40 Under 5 free
Spring into Armadale Fashion Show
Join us for the unveiling of an exclusively designed Jimmy Choo shoes and couture gown by Ae’lkemi designer Alvin Fernandez. Spring into Armadale Fashion show will showcase a cultural exchange fashion show under the direction of the talented Catherine Birch of Fashion Advocate. Models will be wearing creations from upcoming local Western Australian designers from the Curtin University CUBE, alongside renowned local designer Gail Thompson who will showcase her new spring collection
- Date 5 November
- Time 2 – 5pm
- Venue Araluen Golf Resort
- Price $50 General entry $85 VIP (Includes sparkling wines, priority seating and viewing)
So why not make yourself a cuppa and give the whole Spring Into Armadale program of events a read through (remember you can find it here), then mark the diary with those that take your fancy. And if you like me have never seen the tulips at Araluen, then let’s make 2017 the year that we all make our debut!
Keep an eye on the Visit Armadale Facebook Page for more updates!
Note: This is a sponsored post for Visit Armadale and all photos are credited to them