Ballarat will be in full bloom again this March as the Ballarat Begonia Festival celebrates its 70th year.
The 10-day festival will be held from Friday 11 March to Sunday 20 March 2022, with an exciting new program taking place across the CBD and garden precincts, including a long weekend Gardener’s Market.
The 150-year-old Ballarat Botanical Gardens will serve as the event’s main location with a spectacular floral display of 700 rare begonias at the Robert Clark Conservatory.
Colourful installations will fill the gardens and Ballarat CBD, with the illuminated swan and floral clock returning, as well as vibrant flower displays, farmers’ markets, live music, children’s activities and roving performers.
The PowerFM Begonia Parade will be held on Monday 14 March, with full details on the event program to be announced in February 2022.
The event is free general admission with select ticketed events on sale from February 2022.
City of Ballarat Councillor Samantha McIntosh has also called for PowerFM Begonia Festival parade applications and Gardener’s Market Expressions of Interest for stallholders, roving entertainment, live music performances, food vendors and family activities.
“We want to see the PowerFM Begonia Festival Parade back with all its usual colour and excitement – kids in costumes, bands in full voice, fantastic floats – and people cheering them along on the sideline,” Cr McIntosh said.
“If you are a community group or organisation that wants to take part in next year’s parade, online applications are now open.
“We are also looking for stallholders for the long weekend Gardener’s Market so we are putting out Expressions of Interest via an online form, while food venders can also register.
“I really hope people jump on board and support next year’s parade and festival, which is one of our biggest tourism drawcards.”
For all online applications visit ballaratbegoniafestival.com.au.
