AFTER a resounding success this year, Fremantle council has some big names in store for its second One Day in Fremantle festival.

The city controversially held the free event on January 28 instead of its traditional fireworks show on Australia Day, but it was met with open arms from locals, attracting a bumper crowd of 15,000.

ARIA-nominated Kate Miller-Heike, Tame Impala DJ Kevin Parker and Arnhem Land’s Baker Boy were announced as headliners yesterday, and with more to come, Fremantle mayor Brad Pettitt hopes next year’s festival pulls a big crowd again.

“It was amazing last year,” he says.

“We had 15,000 people turn out and that was a real sense of coming together.

“What was great was not just the number that turned out, but the diversity of people.”

• Last year’s One Day in Fremantle at Esplanade Reserve. Photos supplied

Fremantle council’s decision to axe its traditional January 26 celebrations thrust the question of Australia day’s inclusiveness into the national spotlight, putting the city under a certain level of pressure over its first alternative event.

But Dr Pettitt expects the next One Day will be totally different, with the focus solely on celebration and unity.

“I think the conversation has moved on,” he says. “It was such a success last time that it kind of speaks for itself.

“In the lead up to last year’s event it was all about ‘is it divisive’, but I think we demonstrated that it’s not actually.

“It’s actually inclusive and I think this event will continue to show what a great, inclusive community Freo is. We want people to come down and be a part of that.”

One Day in Fremantle is open to people of all ages and will be held on Esplanade Reserve, Sunday, January 28, from 2pm to 8pm.

by EMILEE NEESON