Parade to march in full bloom

THE Begonia Festival parade will return next year as part of the seventieth iteration of the event.

In 2021 Begonia Fest ran for three weeks and four weekends with no parade and COVID-19 restrictions in place.

Next year, from Friday, 11 March to Sunday, 20 March, begonias will once again take over the Ballarat Botonical Gardens, with 700 of the hardy perennials making up a floral display at the Robert Clark Convservatory.

Throughout the Ballarat CBD, flower displays and the swan and floral clock will be on show, and festival goers can visit farmers’ and gardeners’ markets and enjoy live music and roving performers.

The PowerFM Begonia Parade will be held on Monday, 14 March.

A City of Ballarat spokesperson said applications are currently open for the parade, with bands and floats being sought.

“We want to see the PowerFM Begonia Festival parade back with all its usual colour and excitement,  kids in costumes, bands in full voice, fantastic floats, and people cheering them along on the sideline,” a statement from the City said.

“If you are a community group or organisation that wants to take part in next year’s parade, online applications are now open.

“We are also looking for stallholders for the long weekend gardener’s market so we are putting out expressions of interest via an online form, while food venders can also register.

“We really hope people jump on board and support next year’s parade and festival, which is one of our biggest tourism drawcards.”

Applications can be found at ballaratbegoniafestival.com.au. A full program is expected to be announced in February.