THE Begonia Festival parade will return next year as part of the seventieth iteration of the event.<\/p>\n
In 2021 Begonia Fest ran for three weeks and four weekends with no parade and COVID-19 restrictions in place.<\/p>\n
Next year, from Friday, 11 March to Sunday, 20 March, begonias will once again take over the Ballarat Botonical Gardens, with 700 of the hardy perennials making up a floral display at the Robert Clark Convservatory.<\/p>\n
Throughout the Ballarat CBD, flower displays and the swan and floral clock will be on show, and festival goers can visit farmers\u2019 and gardeners\u2019 markets and enjoy live music and roving performers.<\/p>\n
The PowerFM Begonia Parade will be held on Monday, 14 March.<\/p>\n
A City of Ballarat spokesperson said applications are currently open for the parade, with bands and floats being sought.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want to see the PowerFM Begonia Festival parade back with all its usual colour and excitement, \u00a0kids in costumes, bands in full voice, fantastic floats, and people cheering them along on the sideline,\u201d a statement from the City said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you are a community group or organisation that wants to take part in next year\u2019s parade, online applications are now open.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are also looking for stallholders for the long weekend gardener\u2019s market so we are putting out expressions of interest via an online form, while food venders can also register.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe really hope people jump on board and support next year\u2019s parade and festival, which is one of our biggest tourism drawcards.\u201d<\/p>\n