Bob Geldof sent the outback town of Kununurra into a frenzy when he dropped in for the Ord Valley Muster last May.
Women in ball gowns descended on Sir Bob on the town's night of nights - the Kimberley Moon Experience.
After photos with the Irish rocker were snapped on smartphones, the ladies flocked to a stage hosting Guy Sebastian, Mark Seymour, James Reyne and Gurrumul Yunupingu. And, with the who's who of the WA mining industry, they danced all night long.
It's a similar experience every year, and Kununurra, in WA's northern corner, buzzes throughout the 10-day festival.
The Kimberley Moon Experience acts as the finale of the annual Muster, even though there are activities the morning after. However those events appear more for the locals, as tourists wake with foggy heads and crowd Kununurra's tiny airport for flights back to Perth, Broome and elsewhere.
The festival, which runs from May 16-25, is a great way to attract people to the remote community. After all, Kununurra is 800km south-west of Darwin and more than 3000km north-east of Perth.
The festival has been running for 13 years, and this year there are more than 30 events to attend. They include all sorts of tourist activities, such as the Argyle Diamond Dig, a cheese-making course for kids and a culinary cook-off for children aged between 11 and 16.
There will also be performances from the Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow at the Hoochery Rum Distillery and a 700km fundraising mountain bike race called The Gibb Challenge. Riders take on Australia's infamous Gibb River Road, travelling from Derby to tourist property El Questro.
Despite all of this choice, the highlight is always the Kimberley Moon Experience (May 24), where you can join a corporate circle black-tie dinner or set up a BYO picnic on the grass in front of the stage.
Although Sir Bob can't be guaranteed every year, the guests of honour are always top brass.
Previous musicians have included John Farnham, Kasey Chambers, Jimmy Barnes and Paul Kelly.
The 2014 line-up features headline acts Eskimo Joe, The Waifs and John Williamson.
The Muster also draws celebrity chefs and cooks. This year, My Kitchen Rules' Manu Feildel and Australian icon Stephanie Alexander OAM will be a part of the foodie events.
Feildel will host the Kimberley Kitchen (May 21), on the banks of Lake Kununurra, as well as the elegant long-table Durack Homestead Dinner (May 22) at the historic Durack homestead.
Alexander will conduct cooking demonstrations at the Moon Fair (May 18), and also run garden-based activities to teach children about growing, harvesting and eating seasonal food.
If you're keen to attend the festival, be sure you reserve your spot early. Kununurra's population swells around the festival, and flights and accommodation are quickly booked out.
To avoid the mad dash of domestic tourists arriving for the event and fleeing straight after, consider extending your stay. Perhaps catch the main events over the last few days and then stay on to explore the rest of the region.
There is plenty to keep you busy in the East Kimberley, such taking a light plane or helicopter flight over the Bungle Bungle Range, one of the reasons Sir Bob made his visit.
The orange dirt domes that make up the Bungle Bungles are in Purnululu National Park, and although you can access them by road, the view from above is spectacular. Just note that the thermals over the range can make for a bumpy flight so be sure to take travel sickness tablets beforehand if you're that way inclined.
If small aircraft aren't your thing, join an agricultural tour and learn about the region's growing sandalwood industry, or take the trip to Argyle Diamond Mine, famous for its exclusive pink gems.
You can then drop into Kimberley Fine Diamonds in town and pick up a dazzling souvenir to wear to the Kimberley Moon.
After all, you could run into Irish royalty.
IF YOU GO
GETTING THERE: You can fly direct to Kununurra from Perth and Darwin, and you can fly to Broome and then onto Kununurra from east coast cities. Check out www.airnorth.com.au and www.skywest.com.au.
From Darwin, the Stuart and Victoria highways will lead you south-west to Kununurra. From Broome, the Great Northern Hwy will take you north-east to Kununurra, as will the unsealed Gibb River Rd via Derby.
STAYING THERE: There is a large selection of accommodation in Kununurra, including numerous caravan parks. For a thorough list go to www.visitkununurra.com or search www.westernaustralia.com. You can also call the Kununurra Visitor Centre on (08) 9168 1177.
PLAYING THERE: This year, the Argyle Diamonds Ord Valley Muster will run from May 16-25. Check out the program at www.ordvalleymuster.com.au or call the Kununurra Visitors Centre. Tickets to specific events are currently on sale.
* The writer was a guest of Tourism Western Australia
