URGENT UPDATE: A new family-friendly festival, “East Freo Bites and Beats,” is set to transform the East Fremantle Community Park on February 21, 2024. This announcement follows the cancellation of the long-standing George Street Festival, sparking community excitement and engagement.
The Town of East Fremantle, in a bid to fill the void left by the canceled festival, has confirmed that “Bites and Beats” will feature live local music, food trucks, and a variety of children’s activities. The event aims to foster a relaxed atmosphere, celebrating the vibrant culture of East Fremantle while welcoming families and friends from across the region.
Deputy Mayor Tony Natale and CEO Jonathan Throssell emphasized that this new event is “not intended” to replace the George Street Festival, which has been a community staple since the early 1990s. The town canceled this year’s festival due to rising costs and concerns about its long-term viability, with the budget increasing by nearly 50 percent since 2017—reaching $163,000 for 2024.
In response to community feedback, the council sought to organize a smaller-scale event this summer. Throssell stated, “At the time the council made the difficult decision to pause the festival, it wanted to ensure another event could occur this financial year while we go through the review process.”
Belgravia Leisure, the event operator, is required to host two events annually at the park. Initially considering a November date, the organization opted for February to secure top talent and sponsorship. The town report noted that “February 2026 offers improved opportunities to secure high-quality acts that resonate with our community.”
The Town of East Fremantle has allocated $25,000 for “Bites and Beats,” with expectations that additional sponsorship could raise this figure by another $5,000. Council members are excited about showcasing the park’s beauty, describing it as “amazing” and “fabulous.”
Cr Mark Wilson stated, “The community park needs to be economically sustainable, and events like this go a long way to achieving that.”
Mayor Jim O’Neill, who resides near the park, declared a conflict of interest regarding the proposal and refrained from participating in the decision-making process.
As East Fremantle gears up for this fresh initiative, residents are encouraged to engage and support this new festival, which promises to invigorate community spirit and provide a much-needed platform for local artists. Stay tuned for further updates as the event date approaches, and mark your calendars for this exciting new chapter in East Fremantle’s community events!
