Back to the future for heritage fest

THE city’s past was in the present last last week as thousands of people took part in Ballarat Heritage Festival.

Some of Ballarat’s historic spaces opened up for patrons to be treated to a glimpse of yesteryear.

Early estimates from the City of Ballarat indicate the 21-24 May festival injected more than $700,000 into the local economy.

About 8000 people attended the Ballarat Revealed: Hidden Histories, Shared Together exhibition at the Mining Exchange.

The exhibition brought together displays and collections from the city’s diverse multicultural groups, including the Wadawurrung, Sikh, Indian Hawker, African American and Chinese communities.

“The response to this year’s festival has been incredibly positive and it was wonderful to see so many people exploring Ballarat and engaging with the stories that have shaped our city,” City of Ballarat mayor Cr Tracey Hargreaves said.

Cr Hargreaves said the festival continued to play a significant role in supporting local businesses.

More than 60 events and activations were held across the city.

These included Lantern Vaults, which took visitors beneath the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute, and Hidden Rooms of Craig’s Royal Hotel, a sell-out viewing inside the iconic building.

Around 2900 visitors explored the Coburn Collection at Town Hall, which hosts a display of original sketches, renderings and drawings from interwar architect Herbert Leslie Coburn.

The Town Hall was also home to community groups and organisations sharing perspectives on the city’s history.

On Saturday the vintage car show featured the Factory Day steam engine display and 30 cars. On Sunday that figure rose to 80 classic vehicles from the 1900s to the 1980s.

Other events included steam train rides, the Ballarat Antiques Fair, the Beard and Stache competition and free horse and carriage rides, which attracted about 700 people.