Annual Fridgetown Festival shows magic of winter in Bridgetown

Traditionally winter is a slow time for country towns in the South West but as communities showcase what they have to offer in the colder months, a shift is happening. Bridgetown Greenbushes Tourism Association president Tessa Dittrich said over the last five years the annual Fridgetown Festival has encouraged people to venture out during winter. The annual festival which runs across June, July and August has started this year with a full program for this month, with more to come. The June events include a Sip and Shop event at Loft Handmade Boutique on June 15, as well as a journal-making class at Slow Grow Project on Hampton Street on the same day, and an unplugged games night at the Bridgetown CRC on June 17. There will be cooking workshops at the Bridgetown Hub on June 24, as well as a community garden produce stall, workshop and plant sale on June 29, and a jigsaw gallery open day on the same weekend at PUZZLETOWN6255. Ms Dittrich said the association has advocated for winter outings for locals and visitors through the Fridgetown Festival. “People get scared by the cold weather and the wetness — you can’t go anywhere,” she said. “A lot of people are appreciating winter tourism instead of all heading up north to the warm. “It’s so beautiful down here — the green, the rolling hills and the mist. It’s majestic and beautiful, and the rivers are flowing. It is a beautiful time of year to be in the South West.” The festival is co-ordinated by the association, however, the events and workshops are run by the community groups, businesses and organisations themselves. “We’ve changed things up a little this year. Instead of releasing one booklet for the three months, we’re doing June, July and August as separate drops,” Ms Dittrich said. She said releasing each month will “hopefully to keep it fresh longer”. From a Dungeons and Dragons weekend later in the program, to a jigsaw gallery and kids activities during the school holidays, she said the more you go into it, the more you will find. “Get yourself a good raincoat and come and enjoy all the beautiful sides of green rolling hills, and misty mornings, and log fires, and the cozy places,” Ms Dittrich said. “Get out and enjoy the beautiful side of winter.”