We went up to Toodyay today for the Moondyne Joe Festival...it was a fantastic & fun day & many thanks must go to all the amazing people involved in bringing the story of Joe's escapades to life.
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Beautiful historic Toodyay is situated in the hills one hour’s drive east of Perth and each year on the first Sunday in May, the town is transformed for the Moondyne Festival.
Free family day.
The Moondyne Festival brings Joe and his various escapades back to life. Joe and his gang run riot throughout the town of Toodyay holding up anyone they think might have money, or cozying up with the floozies that seem to follow him everywhere. Joe must do battle with those pesky temperance ladies and evade the local constabulary who are intent on catching him and locking him up.
Joe is caught and put on trial but yet again, escapes to create even more chaos.
The day is a wonderful display of life in another time with many locals and stall holders dressing in period costume.
The spectacular 1860 Regiment with their authentic uniforms and old rifles demonstrate how battles were fought 150 years ago.
The swaggies come into town and cook damper and kangaroo stew over a log fire for those who are hungry while the blade shearer shows how it was done in earlier times.
There are vintage cars, bush poets, the moustache and cleavage competitions, face painting, spinning and weaving, glass blowing and a great variety of stalls with delightful wares to tempt you into buying.
Counts wine ?