Fires in mind on chilly Summer Sunday

IT may have been only thirteen degrees when the season’s first Summer Sundays session kicked off on Sunday, but that didn’t stop crowds getting their live music fix.

Running at the Botanical Gardens from 3.30pm into the evening, performers Maylene Slater-Burns, Meraki Minds, Charm of Finches and Ali Barter played in the chilly weather to a rugged up, big audience of all ages.

The event was also mindful of the Victorian bushfires with CFA volunteers receiving donations for the appeal at various collection points.

Locals, Sue and Eric Zehrung embrace the Summer Sundays program every year, enjoying the atmosphere and the “best of Ballarat” that’s offered.

“It’s friendly and it’s relaxed,” Mr Zehrung said. “We never come for any particular music but we always find little gems.

“It supports that range of musicians, some well-established bands from Melbourne, through to high school groups, and it’s just a little bit of everything.

“Sometimes something resonates more than others, which is the way music is… Just a nice afternoon in the park, that’s good enough for me,” he said.

Mrs Zehrung savours the “beautiful setting” of the gardens, sitting amongst new faces.

“We very seldom see people we recognise, so it’s a whole lot of people from Ballarat just coming out to enjoy an afternoon, and it’s lovely to have it as a free event where everyone can come along,” she said.

“I love the way it’s evolved to include all the little food trucks.”