IN PICTURES: Bloom Festival launches for 2022 with night of premium local wines and food in Mt Barker

The 2022 Bloom Festival was officially launched on Saturday with an evening of local wines and food at Plantagenet Wines’ cellar door in Mt Barker. The Bloom Festival program involves more than 50 events across 26 Great Southern towns, including markets, guided hikes and art exhibitions, all celebrating the beauty of wildflower season. During the launch event on Saturday, attendees enjoyed premium local wines and food by Messy Fingers Catering and music from local singer-songwriter Simone Keane. Warren-Blackwood MLA Jane Kelsbie declared the event officially open and speeches were also given by Ronni Felay, Plantagenet Wines’ owner Tom Wisdom and Shire of Plantagenet president Chris Pavlovich. “There are no strangers in the Great Southern, only friends you haven’t met yet,” Mr Pavlovich said. The festival, coordinated by Great Southern Treasures, runs until the end of October.