The Weerama festival returned to Wyndham over the weekend in a three-day extravaganza, with thousands flocking to one of the three events held across Truganina, Wyndham Vale and Werribee.
Festivities kicked off on Friday night with an outdoor cinema, food trucks and live bands at Arndell Park Community Centre.
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On Saturday, festival goers were treated to carnival rides, live entertaiment and fireworks at Presidents Park, and on Sunday, the iconic Weerama parade was held along Watton Street.
THE WERRIBEE TIGERS MASCOT HIGH-FIVES THE CROWD.
Festival president Marcel Mahfoud praised the Weerama committee for coordinating the event on a limited budget.
“The feedback we got from people was that it was good to see it back,” Mr Mahfoud said.
“We had a couple of hiccups, as could be expected.
“Over the three days, the biggest complaint we got was that it was too spread out at President’s Park – we had to move the rides at the last minute because of the rain – but apart from that it was amazing.
“Considering our budget restraints, what the committee has done is nothing short of amazing.
VICTORIA FKIARAS DANCES IN THE PARADE.
“There were some areas where we could have improved if we’d had more money.”
Mr Mahfoud confirmed that Weerama would be back in 2017 and said the festival committee would look into hosting more events along Watton Street.
“The amount of people that have said they’ll come on board for next year – there’s been a huge amount of support from the community.
“We want to build on it and go bigger and better.
DEE-AMM HEGARTY AND HER SON J-KHOBI ENJOY THE PARADE.
“One thing we’re reading on Facebook is that a lot of people want to see us back on the main street (Watton Street). We have been speaking to traders, and the majority of traders on Sundays do want it, so it may be back in the main street for 2017.”
The Weerama festival was last held in 2014 but was abandoned last year when the council refused money to fix governance issues, including administration and bookkeeping.
This year, the council committed $30,000 and in-kind support.
