WA Day: Bertie Beetle showbags, carnival rides to keep crowds entertained at Sunday’s festival

Iconic Bertie Beetle show bags and a plethora of carnival rides are prepared to keep crowds entertained at Sunday’s WA Day Festival. There will be nine free rides available on Sunday to families and thrill seekers visiting Burswood Park with options including dodgem cars, the runaway train rollercoaster and the fiesta balloon. Sideshow alley will also be stocked with prizes ready to be won at a collection of familiar games. Carnival amusement director Mark Marinovich said this year’s event would be “bigger and better” after wet weather disrupted the last WA Day. “There’s nine rides in total, and we’ve got the largest dodgem car track here, which is called the dodgem drift and they drift sideways — it’s a great family attraction,” he said. “We’ve got the dream slinger ride as well, takes riders nine meters in the air, spins them around non-stop till you’re somewhat sick and there’s a host of sideshow games and Bertie Beetle show bags as well.” All mechanical rides will be free at this years event while Bertie Beetle show bags start at $5 each. “For the first time, the Bertie Beetle show bags will be available at the event,” Mr Marinovich said. “We are stoked, the weather’s going to be 30 degrees, it’s going to be sunny.” “Six months of planning goes into this event, so it’s not a small feat — the show bags are packed, the staff are all booked into work, everyone’s excited and we are ready.” Two large inflatable castles will also be available for the younger crowds on Sunday. If anyone gets sore feet, they can take a trip on the Burswood Express — a ride-on-train journeying throughout the festival circuit. There will be fireworks and a drone show late on Sunday while musical acts including Eskimo Joe, San Cisco, Noah Dillon and Great Gable are set to perform. The WA Day Festival is made possible thanks to support from the WA Government, Lotterywest and BHP and will be held in conjunction with The West Test between Australia and India at Optus Stadium on the same day. Patrons are encouraged to take advantage of the free public transport available to Burswood Park as part of fare free Sundays for all Smartrider holders.