Looking back on Heritage Fest

BALLARAT’S ten-day Heritage Festival concluded for another year on Sunday, with more than twenty-five thousand attendees.

The event is expected to contribute $2 million to the city’s economy.

The festival featured more than 130 events including Ballarat Old Gaol Tours, tours of the Ballaarat Mechanic’s Institute, and the Great Takeaway as part of Craft Lab 24.

Other popular events were Monuments by Craig Walsh, which included projections of three local faces onto trees, Jenna Oldaker’s Wadawurrung shipping container artwork and the Ballarat Antique Fair.

Charles Zhang, from the Chinese Australian Cultural Society Ballarat, was one of the faces of Monuments.

“People from the Ballarat Chinese community were feeling so proud about living in this city with one of their images projected on the major trees,” he said.

“We appreciate what this city has done to bring cultural harmony.

“It’s been a fantastic experience to be part of this great project, I am highly impressed by the artist’s work.”

Mayor Cr Des Hudson said the festival celebrated the city’s diverse roots.

“Every year the Ballarat Heritage Festival delivers in so many different ways and this year was no exception,” he said.

“We could not be happier with how the event unfolded and the early feedback we’ve heard from event holders and the general public has been glowing.”

Craft Lab 24 broke all previous attendance records with 5300 people visiting the displays.

Cody Winward showcased traditional and modern flower making techniques as part of the event in the Ballarat Mining Exchange.

“Craft Lab 24 has been an incredible experience to grow relationships with fellow artists, give confidence and reassurance to artisans like myself, gain practical business knowledge and has given the platform to interact with an aligned audience,” he said.

“Having come from a town where I could only dream this would happen, I am immensely grateful to be sitting amongst Craft Lab 24.”