Free fun for kids at the show

THE Ballarat Times 2023 Ballarat Show is again set to be fun for all the family with free entry for children under fifteen years old.

The initiative was introduced for the first-time last year following a State Government grant and proved a success, so this year the Ballarat Agricultural and Pastoral Society are continuing it themselves.

“Last year the kids go free was because due to COVID the government essentially helped out with that and we decided this year off our own backs to continue that tradition,” said event coordinator Jacqueline Kalogerakis.

“Times are still not the best for everyone with inflation so we would like to honour that again this year.”

The Ballarat Show committee made the decision to continue the initiative so families can come along and experience the three-day event despite current financial pressures.

“We still feel like Ballarat families need to have that little reward for themselves,” said Ms Kalogerakis.

“If you’ve got a family of five and need to pay for all those kids, to take away that expense definitely created a really positive vibe around the showgrounds.

“It meant all families could come and indulge in all the show has to offer when they were here.”

There will be plenty of free fun on offer for children at the Show with a family pavilion, Friday night fireworks, a visit from Kryal Castle and many other activities.

“We’ve got the family pavilion this year so we’re trying to create a whole pavilion that has almost everything free for the kids,” said Ms Kalogerakis.

“That’s where Tim Bone will be doing his cooking demonstrations, there will be activities like milking a cow and a feed the pig game.

“There will also be biscuit making, Wicked Wildlife, all the horses and the Clydesdales with a blacksmith doing demonstrations.”

The Ballarat Times 2023 Ballarat Show will be held Friday 10 November until Sunday 12 November.