Dardanup’s fiery festival returns this October

By: Natalie Pugh

Dardanup knows how to put on a country festival, but there’s one part of this annual celebration that tends to steal the show: a giant wooden bull, set alight as the sun goes down.

Before the flames arrive, the Dardanup Bull & Barrel Festival brings a full day of food, music, markets and local produce to town. And with free entry, you can take your time wandering between the stalls, stopping for a bite to eat and settling in for the evening spectacle.

Returning on Saturday 10 October, the festival will feature more than 150 market stalls, two stages of live entertainment, food stalls serving dishes from around the world and plenty of activities for the whole family.

One of the highlights is Tastes of the Ferguson Valley, bringing together local wineries and breweries for a taste of the region. It’s a chance to sample some of the Ferguson Valley’s local drops in one place, without having to make the rounds of every cellar door.

Food is another big part of the program, with MasterChef Australia contestant Alex Crisp joining the festival for cooking demonstrations as part of the Farm to Fork program, showcasing local produce and flavours.

For younger visitors, the Monster Kids Craft Marquee will offer free craft activities, while the wider program includes plenty of family-friendly entertainment throughout the day.

There’s also a whole hall dedicated to collectables, giving visitors a chance to browse vintage finds, memorabilia and other treasures.

Outside, more than 150 market stalls will bring together local growers, producers and artists, while live entertainment runs across two stages throughout the day.

As evening arrives, the festival’s giant wooden fire sculpture takes centre stage, igniting in a blaze that draws the crowd together for one spectacular finale.

With free entry and a program running from 10am until 9pm, there’s plenty of time to explore Dardanup’s biggest day out before finding a spot to watch the bull go up in flames.

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