BALINGUP MEDIEVAL CARNIVALE

By Dave Roberts

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There's a school of thought that says Balingup is the centre of the universe. I'm not buying into whether that's completely true, but there are some facts that are beyond dispute. Balingup is a very beautiful part of the country. It's green for a lot of the year, and the hills are fantastic, there is a sense that you can have all the Australiana you want, but not need to be in a hot dry outback.

The Balingup locals have learned to look at life a little differently. While the show round draws on our history as an agricultural society and there are lots of displays relating to the business of big farming, this town draws on the fact that there are lots of them working small holdings and trying new and different ways of drawing sustenance from the land. The Balingup Small Farm Field Day is becoming an icon.

Another thing about the Balingup people, they love a party. Some time back a notion was formed to celebrate and look for a theme to do it. Locals are so busy being out and about planning and having fun, that no one found the time to actually tell me how it started, but I do know that the first Carnivale was held in 1998, and as you'd imagine, it was a hoot. The Fayre has grown as each year passes. It represents a celebration of the richness of a vital, diverse and active community and it's a great day out for the whole family!

Being a community with interests all over the arts, and with a diverse history, they've put on a fayre that reflects them. This celebration is full of great fun, colour and fabulous costumes.

Past shows have included Medieval fighting group, the Grey Company, who draw a huge crowd every year and the street parade is the centrepiece of the fayre. Everyone gets invloved. In 2005, for the first time, this event will be held over the whole weekend. TWO days of jousting, dressing up, parades, market stalls and music!

This is an event that's well worth being at. There's entertainment, much of it from performers who have written it into their calendars from years ago, and who swear they'll be there from now until the end of time. The show grows every year though, so there will be new and exciting developments, no one has seen it all before.

Tulips abound for the month of August, and provide a colourful backdrop for the fun filled Medieval Fayre. Medieval stall holders are also on hand to provide visitors with food, drink and a variety of irresistible merchandise. I've already noted that the place is delightful anyway, but really, this is one of the best ways to see it. For accommodation, there are any number of local B&Bs who will help you make a weekend of it.

Balingup has among it's charms a lack of the bigger outlets, including banks and supermarkets, so it's worth remembering that the day should be planned a little ahead.

Time is sort, there are preparations to be made. There is a small charge, but given that the show gets better year by year, you can see where it's all going and no one would say there isn't value in this weekend. Planning the weekend could be helped along by caling the Balingup Tourist Bureau on 97641818.

This year the Carnivale is on 27-28 August.