The 2017 Northam Balloon Fiesta has been named as one of the best events in WA with the announcement of State Finalists for the Best Regional Event in the 2018 Australian Event Awards. The Northam Balloon Fiesta held on September 2, 2017 attracted more than 10,000 attendees and officially welcomed the National Ballooning Championships to Northam for the week.  The Shire of Northam chief executive Jason Whiteaker said the Fiesta showcased the great things about the Shire. “It really set a benchmark for what we are trying to achieve with events,” he said. “We are actively trying to work with ToursimWA and local interest groups to secure more ballooning events in Northam.” At the awards night in November 2018 the Shire of Northam was the named as the state winner at the Australian Event Awards 2018 for the event. Co-chair of the event awards judging panel Sandy Hollway said she is amazed by the diversity of the country’s events industry. “The diversity of Australia’s events industry continues to amaze me, as does the ability of the Awards to put a spotlight on not just the incredible events and achievements which take place each year, but to draw out the challenges event organisers manage to overcome through determination, innovation, collaboration and resourcefulness,” she said. The Shire of Northam said they look forward to working with the Northam Ballooning Events Committee to bring further events of this kind to the area.