On the hunt for dragon wranglers

BECOME part of a dragon or join the torchlight procession at this year’s Easter Fair as a volunteer for the Bendigo Chinese Association.

The BCA is calling on people of all ages to volunteer their time during the four-day celebration from 15 to 18 April.

More than 300 people are needed over the course of the weekend and BCA president Doug Lougoon said that included dragon carriers to parade Sun Loong and Dai Gum Loong.

“It’s a very unique Bendigo tradition that’s carried on since the 1800s, the appearance of dragons at Easter,” he said.

“It’s an internationally significant occurrence that this tradition has been continued for so many decades.

“For dragons, that takes a bit more strength and ability to carry, but there’s a lot of other positions as well.”

Dragon carriers must be over the age of 16, but opportunities are also open to kids, teenagers and adults for lead, princess, philosophy, military and dragon attendants sections in the Monday gala parade.

Volunteers can also get involved in a Saturday afternoon tribute event and Sunday night torchlight procession.

Mr Lougoon said he was confident for the Easter Fair’s return with the help of the local community.

“We’ve been supported so well over many, many years by the general public of Bendigo in our endeavours and hopefully we’ll see that the same again this year,” he said.

“I think people are really keen to get out and join in some of these community events not only as spectators but also getting involved in them [as volunteers].”

Applications to volunteer as a dragon carrier are open now, with further opportunities to be released on 26 March.

For more information or to get involved, head to the Golden Dragon Museum website.