Bridgetown’s Blackwood Regen Fest attracts 400 attendees to community garden on Saturday

A regenerative festival in Bridgetown attracted more than 400 people on Saturday morning. Attendees were able to become more aware of sustainable products, ideas and methods during the festival, prresented by Transition Bridgetown, and held at Ashbil Community Garden. The 2024 Blackwood Regen Fest had lots to offer with presentations and a fashion show held by the Bridgetown Youth Action’s op shop, using thrifted clothing items from their shop. Organising committee member Jenni Oliver said the festival was a hit. “It was received fantastically by everyone who came, and the stallholders and the volunteers said there was a great atmosphere on the day,” she said. “It was bigger this year, which was a highlight for everyone, and having the shire there to allow everyone to provide feedback to was great as well. “We had double the number of stallholders and double the number of visitors that we did to last year’s festival.” She said the purpose for the festival was to bring awareness to regenerative and sustainable practices and promoting low waste methods and opportunities to look after the land. “The festival’s there to promote regenerative practices locally and it’s a community-led and community-powered event, in that we had local sponsors, volunteers, stallholders and presenters,” Ms Oliver said. “It was about that local knowledge, and learning together about how to look after the area better.” She also said the festival would be making a return next year and encouraged people to get involved.