Manjimup’s beloved Cherry Harmony Festival to make return in December following last year’s cancellation

One of Manjimup’s most beloved festivals will be making its return later this year after being cancelled in 2023 due to a lack of volunteers. The Cherry Harmony Festival was put on hiatus last year and replaced by the smaller scale Markets and More Festival after organisers struggled to find people to help. Attended by more than 8000 people every year, it will make its return on December 14 with events including market stalls, street theatre, roving entertainers and art displays. Satellite events for the festival will also be returning, including the Seventh Day Adventist Church’s Very Cherry Brekkie which donates proceeds to Foodbank. Treasurer Franzine Karamfiles said the return was benefited by having a bigger committee, calling the addition of members and associates a “positive direction”. “We had a great response to our AGM with all executive positions filled and a large number of associates,” she said. “The Manjimup Cherry Harmony Festival executives would like to acknowledge and thank the volunteers and associates who are working hard to put together the 2024 event.” Ms Karamfiles said the returning festival would merge elements from the previous Cherry Festival and last year’s event. “The committee sought feedback on the 2023 event and are keen to continue with a focus on local produce, market stalls and local entertainment,” she said. “We are hopeful that the very popular parade will return this year, it is one of the pivotal parts of the traditional Cherry Festival.” Last year’s Markets and More Festival brought 4000 people to the town, with the organising committee hoping for a similar layout at December’s event. “The market stalls were very popular last year, particularly the layout in Manjin Park, and we would definitely look at a similar market stall area for the coming festival,” Ms Karamfiles said.