Early start for Easter fair prep

THE Bendigo Easter Festival is entering a new era, with planning underway for the 2023 event.

Last week, a new logo and changes to the program were announced for the festival which will take place from Friday, 7 April to Monday, 10 April next year.

City of Greater Bendigo’s Cr Rod Fyffe, who sits on the Bendigo Easter Festival reference group, said the new brand is a contemporary upgrade to a longstanding tradition.

“With reference to the imperial Dragon Dai Gum Loong as the world’s longest dragon of its kind, the new logo incorporates the dragon’s long body which is seen cleverly wrapped around the design,” he said.

“It is complemented by a vibrant and enhanced colour palette inspired by Dai Gum Loong.

“We are also delighted to announce planning is now underway for the 2023 Bendigo Easter Festival and the aim is to build on the incredible success of the 150th Bendigo Easter Fair in 2022 which attracted 80,000 people.

“There’s no doubt Bendigo is the place to be at Easter where you can experience living history, parades and traditional cultural performances showcasing Bendigo’s unique Chinese heritage together with family fun, the egg hunt, live music, markets, carnival rides and community events.”

Cr Fyffe said next year’s festival will hold all traditional and cultural activities and the carnival on the first three days, with “smaller community-organised” events on the fourth day.

The torchlight procession will be on the Saturday and the gala parade, which was rained out on Easter Monday this year, will be on Easter Sunday.

“It takes many months of planning by City staff, the Bendigo Easter Fair Society, community groups, sponsors and volunteers and I thank them for their commitment and dedication in developing the 2023 Easter Festival,” Cr Fyffe said.