Mayor's message Thursday 25 February

Autumn is just a few days away, and with it comes the Ballarat Begonia Festival.

In 2021 we have a vastly different but immensely exciting festival to look forward to.

This year the festival will be celebrated over three weeks, including four weekends from Saturday 6 March through to Sunday 28 March.

The additional days will provide more opportunities for families and friends to visit Ballarat. The festival’s footprint has also been extended throughout the CBD and the city’s parks and gardens precincts, showcasing the city’s premium natural assets, dispersing crowds and encouraging visitation in support of local business and economic recovery.

The program will feature several new creative installations and activations to keep the event fresh, fun and in-line with COVIDsafe requirements.

The Sturt Street median, opposite Myer, will feature a giant Illuminated Garden of blooms, discovery and wonder, creating something distinctly Ballarat.

The illuminated garden will be produced by local set-design and production house Form Imagination. Adorning the Town Hall will be a begonia inspired floral garland, created by Deanne Gilson, award winning local artist, and proud Wadawurrung woman.

Deanne has handcrafted and painted bespoke begonias, each made from paper clay, to complement our city dressed in blooms.

The creative display of begonias in the Robert Clark Conservatory at the Ballarat Botanical Gardens will continue to be a festival favourite showcasing over 700 of the city’s finest blooms.

For over six decades the Ballarat Begonia Festival has had community spirit at its heart.

This year, with city-wide attractions also including a floral frame trail, audio tours, markets, live music, roving performers and collaborations with local businesses, the festival will celebrate the best of our community. Watch the Ballarat Begonia Festival and Ballarat, bloom in March.

Mayor

Cr Daniel Moloney