A DAY in the Forrest is back in the Perth Hills on Saturday, December 7 with great live music and a fun atmosphere for the whole family to enjoy.

A community music festival organised annually by a group of local volunteers with a passion for music and their community, A Day in the Forrest showcases some of WA’s best established and emerging musicians.

Festival committee chair Tim Brice said the main goal of the festival was bringing the community together.

“It brings the wider and local community together for a free musical event in the hills which entertains and inspires young and old in an appreciation of the arts,” he said.

“We also aim to support Western Australia’s diverse, emerging and established musicians and creatives.”

The festival, started in 2015 by a few local creatives, was initially held at the Glen Forrest sporting club, but the event outgrew its original venue so was moved to the Glen Forrest train park in 2019.

Mr Brice said keeping the event free for the community was a main priority for the committee.

“It is important for us to ensure the event is high quality and free of charge, so we rely on grants, sponsorships and donations to cover costs,’’ he said.

“This year we have generous grants from the Shire of Mundaring, Lotterywest and Bendigo Bank and sponsorships and donations from a number of local businesses and individuals.

“On the day we have more than 40 volunteers to help with setup, running the bar, and ensuring the show runs smoothly.

“We are still looking for volunteers and donations, however small, are gratefully received.”

The festival has a lineup of nine live acts, who cover genres including pop, rock, orchestral, country, jazz, blues, soul and traditional Irish music.

Mr Brice said festival goers would get to experience an eclectic mix of artists that they wouldn’t normally find in the Perth Hills.

“The day will start with the beautiful sounds of the Corella Saxophone Quartet.

“We will also have hills performer Eliainie with her soothing, mesmerising voice and deep lyricism, as well as prolific WA Irish folk duo the Broken Pokers, who have become stalwarts of the Perth pub and party scene.

“Some of Western Australia’s bigger acts will also join us, including Banjo Lucia, Grievous Bodily Calm and the Kill Devil Hills alongside legends Dave Milroy and Lucky Oceans with the Milroy Oceans band, and finishing off the night with funky soul band Mo Hippa, led by the famous Howie Morgan.”

Mr Brice said the main reason people have loved the festival was for its laid-back community spirit.

“People have just loved the day out in the beautiful surroundings of the train park.

“The music, the sense of community and vibes you won’t feel anywhere else.

“The event has an organic feel that is hard to come by these days.

“It’s an event full of creativity and love.”

More information including the full festival program and public transport information can be found here.