WHAT\u2019S in a name, or a season, when Ballan\u2019s Autumn Festival is springing to life after a break of three years?<\/p>\n
The Ballan Autumn Festival has been running for over 40 years, and in the year pre-COVID, it attracted over 10,000 visitors.<\/p>\n
However, in 2020, with entertainers, street holders and other activities ready to go, the festival had to be cancelled because of a pandemic lockdown.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe 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,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn order not to disappoint our funding bodies, we are required to hold the festival this year, so it\u2019s appropriate that our rebirth is \u2018Springing Back,\u2019 bringing a bit of flower power, perhaps to the much-loved street parade, pony rides, market stalls, pet show and entertainment.\u201d<\/p>\n
It\u2019s surely going to be a bloomin\u2019 marvellous Ballan Autumn Festival, with it set for Sunday, 13 November.<\/p>\n
Mr Harper has taken up the mantle of president, having relinquished it in 2019 after 10 years at the helm.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am very much part of this community, and I was not prepared to see the festival fold after 40 years of continuous celebration.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve 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,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
Through the Wombat Regional Arts Network, the community has been invited to provide a dash of colour to the streetscape with banners and flowers.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
WHAT\u2019S in a name, or a season, when Ballan\u2019s 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, […]<\/p>\n