Friday, March 29, 2024

Cuttlefest kick-off

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City of Whyalla Media and Communications, Media Release, 9 June 2022

The cuttlefish have arrived, which means it’s time to celebrate with Cuttlefest 2022!

Photo: City of Whyalla

Cuttlefest is a three month festival of events and activations happening in and around Whyalla to celebrate the annual congregation of the Giant Australian Cuttlefish. There’s something for everyone even a host of events on land if getting wet isn’t your thing!

The Giant Australian Cuttlefish (sepia apama) travel to the rocky areas off the Whyalla coast during May, June, July and August to find love, mate and reproduce, in the process creating a remarkable spectacle, an underwater lightshow and colourful, kaleidoscopic displays.

Cuttlefest
Spencer the Cuttlefest mascot will be out and about to help promote Cuttlefest activities, so keep an eye out for photo opportunities with our favourite colourful cuddly cuttlefish! Spencer is pictured with Mayor Clare McLaughlin, Jacob, Isabella and Sammy from the Whyalla Surf Life Saving Club! Photo: City of Whyalla

This unique event takes place just off the coast of Whyalla at Point Lowly and is the only known location that this happens in the world it certainly is cause for a celebration! Mayor Clare McLaughlin said Cuttlefest was an exciting time on the events calendar for Whyalla.

“We welcome many visitors to our city from across the world who have come to experience the annual congregation of the Giant Australian Cuttlefish,” Mayor McLaughlin said.

“We encourage them to stay a while, engage in our community and take part in many of the activities that are happening in and out of the water this Cuttlefish season.

“There is lots to see and do for all ages around Whyalla, and we thank the local and regional community members, businesses and organisers who have put forward their exciting events and activities to embrace and celebrate our cuttlefish as part of the Cuttlefest program of events!”

Highlights of this year’s Cuttlefest 2022 program include:

  • Local snorkel & dive opportunities with Whyalla Dive Services
  • EMS (Experiencing Marine Sanctuaries) community group snorkels
  • Cutty’s Glass Bottom Boat Tours
  • Virtual underwater tour via a cuttlefish cam
  • Cuttlefish self guided art trail across Whyalla
  • Citizen Science with self guided beachcombing activities & educational resources
  • A Plastic Ocean documentary viewing
  • A school holiday program jammed packed with marine themed arts and craft and science activities at the library
  • Curious Cuttles Science, art & virtual reality in the pub night
  • D’Faces and the Bait Fridge Rainbow Cuttlefish Parade

There will also be a Cuttlefest Community Event at the Whyalla foreshore, with food stalls, live music, kids’ activities, bouncy castles, extreme games and plenty more! Stay for the day and watch the Rainbow Cuttlefish Parade by D‘Faces and visiting artists The Bait Fridge. The parade will be full of colourful giant puppets, music, costumes and characters starting at 4.00pm at Ada Ryan Gardens before heading out to the Whyalla Jetty.

Printed programs will be out and about around town soon and you can see the full program of events and activities at www.whyalla.com, or call the Whyalla Visitor information Centre on 8645 7900 for further details and information.

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