Outback Fusion Festival to bring winter sports to Pilbara with ice skating rink

The return of the East Pilbara’s favourite festival will have a fresh twist, with the event to feature the first ice skating rink in Newman. The Outback Fusion Festival at Newman’s The Square from September 2 to 4 will showcase some of the diverse culture of the East Pilbara. Festivities will kick off in the town centre on the Friday evening with local cultural performances, a haka and foods from different cultures. The Saturday will be bursting with music and activity with roving entertainment and food stalls, as well as basket-weaving at Martumili gallery, yoga on the hill, paint and prosecco, and a family-fun day markets on Sunday. The headline music act this year is the Bradley Hall Band, who will be supported by the Good Strife duo, Yurti Band, Broken Tides, JoKeria and African drumming. Shire of East Pilbara president Anthony Middleton said the Outback Fusion Festival was a celebration of the shire’s cultural diversity and vibrant natural environment. “Being able to bring something that’s never been seen in the East Pilbara before is just icing on the cake,” he said. “We have so much planned for the three-day festival, which incorporates Harmony Day celebrations. “There will be live entertainment all three days, market stalls, and so much more. And all for free.” The ice skating rink will be open to the public from September 1.