Cat Empire to rock Bunbury in Autumn Carnival

Alternative rockers The Cat Empire will hit the stage in Bunbury next March as part of a major tourism push to coincide with the South West Autumn Racing Carnival.

Organisers are hoping the show, set down for the Graham Bricknell Music Shell on Saturday, March 9, will draw a new demographic of holiday-makers to the races.

Event coordinator Jo O’Dea has been planning the show for six weeks.

“In that time I’ve spoken to a lot of people in the Bunbury region and everybody is excited and enthusiastic,” she said.

“It hasn’t been difficult to get people on board and start working out ways we can attract people into town for the race week.”

As part of the celebrations, concert-goers will receive free entry to the Bunbury Stakes at the Turf Club the following day.

The carnival will reach a crescendo four days later on Thursday, March 14 when the Bunbury Cup is run.

Racing and Wagering WA corporate communications manager Pippa McIntosh said the concert was part of a $40 million Royalties for Regions injection supporting regional race rounds.

“This is an existing successful race week, but this extra boost of funds is to raise the event to another level,” she said.

“We want it to really showcase what the South West has to offer.”

BTC marketing coordinator Brody Russell said the region’s economy would benefit from the expected increase in visitors and that the expanded carnival would be “great for Bunbury”.

“We’re really hoping to enhance the experience for visitors and locals during that week,” he said.

“We want there to be more than just racing during that week, include the whole town and create a bit of a buzz.”

The South West Autumn Racing Carnival will begin on Sunday, March 3 with the running of the AHA Cup at Bunbury.

Other events, including a major triathlon and the annual Viva Bunbury! Latin festival will add to the celebrations.