A day of muddy, messy, slippery, sensory challenging, outdoor unstructured play has attracted more than 7500 people to Binddon for the annual Wear Ya Wellies event.
Kids and kids at heart had the chance to tackle the Muchea Plumbing and Gas mini obstacle course, wallow in the mud pits, build tepees from sticks and branches and play mud soccer.
Shire of Chittering president Gordon Houston said he was pleased to see the event continue to evolve.
"The huge marquee which housed market stalls and activities created such a great new addition to the event," he said.
"The new more open layout included keeping the outdoor markets and animals, music, and train rides, amongst others."
Thanks to sponsorship from Chittering Landcare, attendees got to learn more about traditional foods through a Bush Kitchen Demonstration by Marissa from Bindi Bindi Dreaming.
Rose Power and Izzy the Lizard from SDERA and Cliff Simpson from WALGA Roadwise were on hand to teach children about staying safe on the roads.
Wear Ya Wellies is a celebration of nature, recognising that unstructured play in an outdoor environment is essential to the physical, social and cognitive development of children.
The annual event was made possible with support from Lotterywest, Chittering Landcare, Muchea Plumbing and Gas, Road Safety Commission, Educated by Nature, Bindoon Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade, Upper Chittering Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade, Chittering Incident Support, Messy Moments, Northern Valleys News, Shane Love MLA, Hon Martin Aldridge MP, Dynamic Group Muchea, Chittering Youth Krew, Chittering Tourist Association, Bindoon Farmers Market, Bindoon and Districts Agricultural Society and Bindoon IGA.
Neil Hartley is the acting chief executive for the Shire of Chittering.
