Rain washes out two-day festival for WA Day celebrations

After one of the driest spells on record, the rain has finally arrived in Perth, washing out any hopes of the WA Day festival going ahead.

Perth was set to sizzle this weekend at a free two-day festival to celebrate WA Day, with big acts such as Eskimo Joe, Guy Sebastian, The Waifs, Sneaky Sound System and End of Fashion set to hit the stage.

But after one of the driest periods on record, the rain finally arrived, forcing event organisers to cancel the festival after the venue became waterlogged.

Eskimo Joe were set to hit the stage at this weekend’s WA Day Festival in Perth.

In the past few days, Perth has experienced about 47mm of rain, drenching the city after months of no rain, with more expected to continue through the weekend.

Event organisers made the difficult decision to cancel the festival that was scheduled to take placeover the long weekend, after the venue at Burswood Park, near Optus Stadium became waterlogged.

“Due to the heavy rainfall in the last 48 hours and the forecast of even heavier rains on the way, festival organisers have made the difficult decision to cancel the festival in the interests of public safety,” event organisers said in a statement.

“We understand the disappointment this may cause and apologise for any inconvenience. The safety of our attendees, staff and performers is the festival’s top priority.”

WA Day community celebrations will still proceed in regional areas such as Albany, Carnarvon, Geraldton, Kalgoorlie, Fremantle and Northam.