Ballan fest ready to bloom

WHAT’S in a name, or a season, when Ballan’s Autumn Festival is springing to life after a break of three years?

The Ballan Autumn Festival has been running for over 40 years, and in the year pre-COVID, it attracted over 10,000 visitors.

However, in 2020, with entertainers, street holders and other activities ready to go, the festival had to be cancelled because of a pandemic lockdown.

Ballan Autumn Festival president Kevin Harper said it was devastating for the community who had all worked so hard to get it ready, but they are resilient.

“The Ballan community is robust, and we are determined to celebrate in a way that might seem a little odd; to hold the Autumn Festival in spring,” he said.

“In order not to disappoint our funding bodies, we are required to hold the festival this year, so it’s appropriate that our rebirth is ‘Springing Back,’ bringing a bit of flower power, perhaps to the much-loved street parade, pony rides, market stalls, pet show and entertainment.”

It’s surely going to be a bloomin’ marvellous Ballan Autumn Festival, with it set for Sunday, 13 November.

Mr Harper has taken up the mantle of president, having relinquished it in 2019 after 10 years at the helm.

“I am very much part of this community, and I was not prepared to see the festival fold after 40 years of continuous celebration.

“We’ve gone from a volunteer committee of 20 members to a team of a volunteer executive and two volunteers, plus a part time paid events manager,” he said.

“We are very focussed on working hard and pulling in expertise professionals who are happy to donate time and energy to ensure the success of our spring event.”

Through the Wombat Regional Arts Network, the community has been invited to provide a dash of colour to the streetscape with banners and flowers.