Due to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Fremantle has made the difficult decision to cancel the 2021 Fremantle International Street Arts Festival (FISAF).
Although the event has been under consideration for some time, the final decision comes in light of the current health regulations and advice from the Department of Health. With FISAF attracting more than 100,000 people to Fremantle over the Easter long weekend, the event is deemed high risk.
Unfortunately, events of this scale and complexity do not currently meet the requirements of the public health principles listed in the COVID Event Guidelines and are not possible at this time.
Kathryn Taylor, Manager of Arts and Culture at the City of Fremantle said the pandemic has challenged the events industry to adapt and pivot to enable delivery in these unprecedented times.
"FISAF is a much-loved festival and we share in the disappointment that this cancellation brings. The festival team are working on developing projects that will provide the opportunity to celebrate Fremantle, without compromising public safety and we look forward to sharing these details in due course," Ms Taylor said.
Within the current government guidelines, smaller events are still viable, and as such, the City of Fremantle is also working towards delivering a series of events as part of the Heritage Festival (April/May) and Fremantle Festival: 10 Nights in Port (July).
