Cicerello's Fremantle Cracker Night - fireworks fun on again this Australia Day (WA)

FOLLOWING the success of the inaugural event, Cicerello's Fremantle Cracker Night is on again at Fishing Boat Harbour for Australia Day, January 26, 2008. From 8.45pm, the skies above the port city will come alive with plenty of firework fun in what’s been described by Fremantle Mayor Peter Tagliaferri as a “family-friendly alternative”. There are three firing locations this time around – a pontoon in the middle of Fishing Boat Harbour, at the end of Capo D’Orlando Drive and a new one at the southern breakwater groyne near the Fremantle Sailing Cub, allowing for slightly larger shells. All necessary approvals have been obtained and liaison meetings between Fremantle Police, FESA, Fisheries WA, Fishing Boat Harbour traders, Department for Planning & Infrastructure, Fremantle Ports, St John Ambulance, City of Fremantle and fireworks inspectors from the Department of Consumer and Employment Protections have taken place over the past few months. Once again sponsored by Cicerello’s with 96FM and 6PR coming on board as media partners, Mayor Tagliaferri said the event was a chance to put a focus on Fremantle as part of Australia Day, near a relaxed water setting. “The aim has always been to provide an alternative to other celebrations that might be happening, helping to bring the local community together,” he said. “Australia Day has always been about the relaxed Aussie lifestyle and this is simply our way of giving the community another choice, should they want to join in. “Without the support of Cicerello’s, this event would never have become a reality and with 96FM and 6PR we have two stations that appeal to a wide cross-section of listeners, across many age brackets and musical tastes, which fits right in with the relaxed feel we have in Fremantle. “Whatever way you want to look at it, it’s going to be another cracker of a night, done in that typically eclectic Fremantle style. “When those sky rockets are in flight, it’s sure to be a true Freo delight – and I’m pleased the success of our first cracker night has ensured this has become an annual event.” Some of the best vantage points are expected to be Fremantle Esplanade Reserve, Fishing Boat Harbour (likely to get busy early), Monument Hill (pedestrian access only), Bathers Beach and South Beach. A range of parking options is available, including Queensgate on Henderson Street, Point Street Car Park and Beach Street Car Park, allowing people to walk down to the event, where additional toilets and bins will be in place. Wilson Park at South Beach will also be opened up to allow for extra parking. The Fremantle Tram will shuttle people to the Esplanade from 4pm to 10pm, taking in Beach Street, Phillimore Street, Cliff Street, Marine Terrace, Norfolk Street and Parry Street before the event and Arundel Street, Marine Terrace, Douro Road and South Terrace after the event. Signage will be in place. The CAT bus and FreoStar services have also been extended until 10pm. Capo D’Orlando Drive (from the corner of Fleay Lane) and Car Park No. 2 on Marine Terrace will be closed from 6am, then Mews Road will be closed from 6pm. ***ACROD PARKING WILL BE AVAILABLE IN CAR PARK 2*** Road closures will also be in effect near the southern breakwater groyne, close to the Fremantle Sailing Club, from early on in the day. Monument Hill Memorial Reserve will be closed to all vehicle traffic from 7pm, January 25, until 12pm, January 27. Fishing Boat Harbour will also be closed to all pleasure watercraft from 6pm onwards. For those in Fremantle early on, there's free face painting to keep the kids amused from 3pm right up until 8pm on the Esplanade Reserve. From 5pm to 6.30pm, the Perth Fortress Salvation Army Band will also perform on Fremantle Esplanade. Salvation Army volunteers will also be on hand, rattling the their tins, helping to raise money for their worthy cause. Plus there's a good ol' sausage sizzle as well with snags galore to help them raise funds. After the event, Freo's favourite carnival drummers WASAMBA will parade down the Cliff Street footpath in costume, arriving at the Esplanade for some groovy Australia Day drumming beats to help round out the evening in a special 15-minute performance. People are reminded this is a glass-free, family-friendly event. The current forecast is for 35C, so remember to protect yourself from the sun with sunscreen and a hat and bring a long a plastic bottle of water to avoid dehydration. As Australia Day gets closer, there will be information updates at www.freofocus.com.au and on 96FM and 6PR. PLEASE NOTE: For details on other Australia Day events in the City of Fremantle, click this link: http://www.freofocus.com.au/news/html/ozday2008.cfm