Shark Bay council approves funding for May festivals

Shark Bay councillors approved funding to help two community festivals get off the ground in May. The Barefoot Black Tie festival last ran over four days in May 2018 at the Denham Town Hall. At its most recent meeting last month, council recommended festival organisers prepare appropriate risk-management protocols in line with State Government COVID health regulations. The festival will run in the first week of May although specific dates have not been confirmed. The council approved $5000 for Creality — the Gascoyne Travelling Arts Festival Barefoot Black Tie event. It also agreed to provide funding for the Shark Bay Fiesta, a large community fishing competition packed full of prizes and live entertainment on between May 13 and 20. This year’s event program is still being developed, but includes a fishing competition with more than $10,000 in prizes, daily weigh-ins, catch and release categories, high-tea fundraisers, quiz and bingo nights, live entertainment, bar and food facilities and fireworks to finish. The council approved to provide $8000 to the Shark Bay Fishing Club to host the 27th Shark Bay Fiesta.