Fest springing back into action

ALL the family fun of SpringFest Market Sunday is returning to Lake Wendouree’s gardens precinct this season after two years of cancellations.

Run by the Rotary Club of Ballarat, the annual market fundraiser benefits community organisations and is set for Sunday, 27 November.

SpringFest director Robert Glass said it’s all about giving back to Ballarat.

“It’s nice to be able to offer an outlet to nearly 500 stallholders, and the potential to produce funds for our community partners,” he said.

“We’ve got the usual community stalls with crafts, kitchen gadgets, clothing… You name it, we’ll have it.”

Returning SpringFest staples include the Show-N-Glow car show in the South Gardens, alongside ambassadors Tim Bone and Julia Zass.

Mr Bone said the event is a Ballarat institution.

“It’s such an honour to be an ambassador and very special to get to be a part of it,” he said.

“To have it back in its full glory after not being able to run it in the last two years, it’s going to be amazing. I particularly love walking around to check out the classic cars at the Show-N-Glow.”

Ms Zass said Market Sunday is an integral part of the city’s annual event calendar.

“It raises essential funds for local organisations and schools, which we love,” she said.

“I also love all of the food at SpringFest. You have to pace yourself because there’s so many good options all around. A little bit here, a little bit there…”

The market, however, will be reimagined with a new layout.

“Rather than being right around the lake, it’s now going to be situated between St Aidans Drive and Carlton Street,” Mr Glass said.

“In the past everything was spread right around the lake, so rather than having to walk six kilometres, we’re hoping to compact the stalls more so people will now only have to walk half that.

“It’ll be more achievable for people to see everything and get around.”

SpringFest Market Sunday will be preceded by a harness racing night on Friday, 7 October, the online raffle fundraiser is also returning in October, and a SpringFest Christmas Market will be held beside Ballarat Carols by Candlelight in December.

“It’ll run before Carols gets underway of course, and so people can browse through the market and do a bit of Christmas shopping before heading out to Mars Stadium for that,” Mr Glass said.

“This will be our second time running this. It really does have the makings of a great market and it’s a wonderful addition to what we usually offer.”

Half of funds raised at 2022 SpringFest events will be divvied up between four local schools, and new beneficiary the Forest Rangers Soccer Club. The remaining funds will go to Rotary Club of Ballarat projects.

SpringFest generally raises between $40,000 and $45,000 with 2019’s market attracting about 35,000 attendees.