By Bronwyn Hastings

Kannamaroo Festival’s traditional event attracted more than a thousand people at the weekend, when it returned to its original venue but at a new time of year.

Festival chair Emma Smith said unexpected rain did not dampen the crowds, who enjoyed a range of entertainment and activities at Horsham’s Sawyer Park.

“The live music was good, and people liked listening to it, and a lot of the free stuff we had was definitely popular,” she said.

“The tiny goats, Young Expressions, Wobbly Spoon doing a circus workshop, and Waldo The Great Magician were really popular. 

“I spoke to the people running the rides, they said they were quite steady all day with people. 

“I think there was a really good mix of people using the free stuff as well as then, having the paid food and rides.”

Ms Smith said a lot of young families attended the event.

“There were a lot of people with school-age or younger kids,” she said.

“When we talked about changing the date to the middle weekend of the school holidays, we did wonder whether people who weren’t going away would come and do something that wouldn’t cost them too much money, and was easy to get to.”

The Kannamaroo committee advertised limited parking in the lead-up to the event, with many people choosing to walk or ride bikes to the event.

Ms Smith said feedback for the new date and venue had been positive.
“It was really good, despite the rain, there were lots of people there all day,” she said.

“It’s quite hilarious considering rain wasn’t forecast – we seem to just get the rain. We thank everyone for coming because it was a pretty big thing, changing the date on an event that’s been going for 40 years.

“To get such a good turnout is really good – and I think this year has definitely been more successful than previous years.”

The entire April 15, 2026 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!