Broome’s biggest annual celebration is set to return next month, with Shinju Matsuri promising 17 days of events that showcase the town’s multicultural heritage, local talent and community.
The festival begins on August 21 with an opening ceremony at Town Beach featuring local dance groups, gymnasts and circus performers before a packed program of free and ticketed events unfolds across Broome.
Shinju Matsuri programming manager Luna Morishige said community events remained at the heart of this years’ festival.
“The float parade is beautiful,” she said.
“Last year we had 19 floats and we have some groups returning this year that haven’t participated for many years, so that’s really exciting.”
The Float Parade and Carnival of Nations will once again headline the opening weekend, celebrating the many cultures that make up Broome.
“It is a multicultural town and it’s beautiful to showcase that,” Ms Morishige said.
While ticketed events such as the Chinatown Feast and Sunset Long Table remain popular, Ms Morishige said many of Shinju’s highlights were free and designed to bring locals together.
“I feel Shinju is a time in Broome when all the communities come together,” she said.
“I’m a big fan of the community events. That’s what Shinju is about.”
Among this year’s major performances is Raised in Big Spirit Country, a theatre production by Pigram Productions and Black Swan Theatre Company returning to Broome after a sold-out season in Perth.
Musician, storyteller and musical director Bart Pigram said bringing the production home was important because its story belonged to Broome.
“It celebrates the multiculturalism of the town, our childhoods and the unique story of Broome,” he said.
The production blends live music, storytelling and humour while paying tribute to musicians who helped shape Broome’s cultural identity.
“Shinju was a big part of our childhood,” Mr Pigram said.
“We’d run around the oval and families would all come together.
“We’re paying tribute to that era and to the legends of music who created the soundtrack of Broome.”
Originally founded to celebrate Broome’s pearling heritage, Shinju Matsuri has grown into one of the Kimberley’s biggest cultural festivals.
Mr Pigram said it remained an important attraction for visitors while preserving the town’s identity.
“It’s not a festival just for adults. It’s for kids, families and people from all walks of life,” he said.
“There are so many free events, so it’s there for everybody.”
This year’s festival hub at Town Beach will feature live music, arts activities, quiz nights, lantern-making workshops and family events throughout the festival.
The popular Pets in the Park event will also return after drawing big crowds last year.
Ms Morishige, who first became involved with Shinju as a Japanese cultural dancer before joining the organising team, said supporting local performers continued to be a priority.
“As a small town we’re so rich in talented people,” she said.
“The crowds love local performers and we’re so grateful we can showcase them.”
Organisers are encouraging locals to take part by entering the Float Parade or volunteering during the festival.
Registration for the parade is free, with participants able to join on foot as well as with decorated floats.
“My message is: get involved,” Ms Morishige said.
“Let’s come together as a community.”
For Mr Pigram, that community spirit remains the festival’s greatest strength.
“If we lose that community spirit,” he said, “it’s not the festival that was born to be.”
The full festival line up and event information can be found: shinjumatsuri.com.au
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