The Channel 7 Mandurah Crab Fest holds a special place in the hearts of many people across Western Australia and beyond.
From humble beginnings in 1999 with 3000 attendees, Crab Fest has grown significantly, evolving with the community, and now attracts more than 100,000 visitors from across the state, the country and wider.
The much-loved festival is a significant and iconic part of Mandurah’s story, and an integral part of the state’s annual event calendar. As well as being WA’s biggest free regional event, Crab Fest is a major and important economic driver for the city. It provides a big injection into the local economy, as well as delivering many social benefits to local businesses and the community. Pre-COVID, the festival generated millions of dollars in economic activity each year, in addition to creating employment opportunities for locals and providing a boost to local tourism and hospitality businesses.
The festival also provides a platform for local artists, musicians, and performers to showcase their talents, further contributing to our local economy.
In addition to supporting our local economy, the festival’s success generates positive publicity for Mandurah, promoting Mandurah's cultural and culinary heritage and increasing our profile as a place to visit and invest in.
Crab Fest is also a significant contributor to WA’s tourism industry. One of the event’s main purposes is to boost the local economy through encouraging tourists to visit Mandurah, thus increasing Mandurah’s brand as a tourist destination. It won back-to-back Gold in the Major Festivals and Events category at the 2016, 2017 and 2018 Perth Airport WA Tourism Awards, before being inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2019. It also won Bronze in the Major Festivals and Events category at the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards in 2017.
The festival has become an integral part of Mandurah's identity and a source of pride for our community. As we start to count down to the first Crab Fest in three years, we can appreciate its important role in boosting Mandurah's economic growth and showcasing the city's unique character to the world.
Bring on Channel 7 Mandurah Crab Fest 2023!
Head to crabfest.com.au for more info.
