Upcoming events seek to light up town

FESTIVALS, sporting tournaments, light shows, and family fun days are all on the calendar for Greater Bendigo for the rest of the year.

City director of strategy and growth Steve Hamilton said the tourism and events team is looking to continue the momentum built during the first half of the year, from major attractions such as the Easter Fair, Bendigo Writers Festival and Elvis: Direct from Graceland exhibition.

“It has been an incredible start to our recovery which has given the region a new wave of optimism and energy and we’ll be building on that success with more events and experiences to captivate and entertain residents and visitors over the coming months,” he said.

“Elvis may have left the building, but the exhibition attracted a significant number of new visitors to Bendigo and we know from research in visitor behaviour that once you’ve experienced Bendigo, you’ll want to come back for more.”

Mr Hamilton said White Night Bendigo is a “must-see immersive experience” and could draw in around 60,000 people to Bendigo on Saturday, 3 September.

Meanwhile, events such as Bendigo on the Hop and the Heathcote Wine and Food Festival will bring Bendigo into the warmer months.

Vibes and Vino, the Bendigo Agricultural Show, the Zinda Festival and the Great Stupa of Universal Compassions Vegecarian Festival are also designed to showcase the region’s best food and drink.

In Spring, the traditional tulip display will be on as well as the final Blues and Roots Music Festival on 3 to 6 November.

For sporting fans, there is a wide range of events and tournaments from basketball to badminton, calisthenics, volleyball, hockey, BMX, rugby and dance.

“Many of these sporting tournaments are held over several days so they boost our local economy with more people visiting, shopping, eating and booking accommodation in Greater Bendigo,” Mr Hamilton said.

Bendigo’s major theatres, Ulumbarra and the Capital, will be busy too with plenty of plays and concerts, including jazz musician James Morrison with the Bendigo Brass Band in October.