Huge long weekend of events

Parade ready: Vicki Jones with Faye from Guide Dogs Australia, Holly de Jong and Astra from Coco Sounds, Lana Rose A.K.A Miss Kandy Von Kisses and in the hot rod Lindsay Burdon and City of Ballarat Councillor Jim Rinaldi are all ready for the Power FM Begonia Parade on Monday. Photo: EDWINA WILLIAMS

BALLARAT residents and visitors are spoilt for things to do this Labour Day long weekend.

Bucking bulls, AFL footy, horses racing, Picasso’s prints from the 1930s to name just a few of the events and of course not forgetting the 67th Ballarat Begonia Festival.

At the Botanical Gardens six hundred tuberous and non-tuberous Begonias from the City of Ballarat’s famous Begonia collection form the showcase event of the Ballarat Begonia Festival.

The Festival has an exciting three-day line up of entertainment, activities, talks, culinary delights and celebrity guests.

It also includes the Power FM Begonia Parade on Monday at 11am outside the Ballarat Tram Museum.

This year’s parade will explode with colour and sound as local businesses, schools and community groups unite to celebrate Ballarat’s diversity and community spirit.

For the philatelists there’s the Ballarat Begonia Stamp and Coin Fair. It has more than 35 dealers and club tables, prizes, giveaways for children and free valuations at the free event on Monday Quiet culture is on offer with a visit the Art Gallery of Ballarat to see Picasso’s Vollard Suite, 100 intaglio prints created by Picasso between 1930 and 1937, regarded as one of the greatest print suites of the 20th century.

The recently re-opened Civic Hall is the perfect setting for those seeking amazing antique finds, one-of-a-kind items, jewellery, paintings and furniture with the Ballarat Antique Fair. It also provides an opportunity to gasp at the grandeur of the refurbished Hall.

If bucking bulls and live music is your idea of a great time head to the Ballarat Showgrounds at 6pm on Saturday to watch some of the best bull riders in the world battle the sport’s toughest bovine athletes as part of the Professional Bull Riders Monster Energy Tour Rodeo.

Sunday afternoon sees the Western Bulldogs, returning to Ballarat for the 2019 AFL preseason, take on St Kilda in the JLT Community Series at Mars Stadium.

More four-legged entertainment can be had at the Miners Rest Community Cup Race Day at the Ballarat Turf Club to wrap-up the last day of the weekend.