After axing Australia Day fireworks out of sensitivity to indigenous people, Fremantle will host a pyrotechnics display in its culturally inclusive WA Day celebrations.

The Fremantle Harbour Traders Group yesterday announced the two-day Celebrate WA Festival, which includes a fireworks display on June 3, on the eve of the official WA Day public holiday.

The event will be opened by local Aboriginal elders who will perform a traditional smoking ceremony and Welcome to Country.

It will be followed by cultural dance and music events from different ethnic backgrounds.

Char Char Restaurant + Bar owner Brenden Jones, a member of the Fremantle Harbour Traders Group, denied the WA Day fireworks was a replacement event for the port city’s traditional Australia Day celebrations.

The City of Fremantle made national headlines last year when it withdrew funding for its January 26 fireworks show in favour of a more “culturally sensitive” event two days later.

Traders held a low-key fireworks display at the harbour on Australia Day last year, but did not stage any pyrotechnics to mark the occasion this year.

Mr Jones said the WA Day celebrations were about recognising all the different groups that make up the Fremantle area.

“This event recognises our Aboriginal history, early European migrant background and the diverse range of people from all over the world who have made — and continue to make — Freo and WA their home,” he said.

“It gives Fremantle, and especially the Fishing Boat Harbour area, a real vibrancy and energy.”

There will be numerous musical and dance performances in and around the harbour, including Italian, Greek and Latin styles and the Chung Wah Association Lion Dance Troupe.

Fireworks will start from 6pm on Sunday, June 3 at the harbour.

Mr Jones expects up to 20,000 people will watch the display.

The harbour will host other free activities including face-painting and bouncy castles for children as well as buskers.

The event is set to rival WA Day celebrations at Elizabeth Quay in the city.