Why SpringFest is more than a market

IT may come to life one day a year, but the Rotary Club of Ballarat’s SpringFest is a twelve-month planning project which has arrived again.

Set for this Sunday, 24 November from 10am to 4pm, 530 market stalls with food, arts, crafts, music, clothing, jewellery, plants, performers, displays, events and activities will entertain and excite the whole family around all of Lake Wendouree.

Robert Glass, SpringFest Director said it’s always an annual hit because of its wide offering, like the Sportz Zone, dragon boat trial, PetStock Pet Corner, the Children’s Wunderfest, strong man and woman competition, and more.

“As a very successful event, and such a broad-based event, it appeals to so many different people in the community, and there’s something there for most people, whether it be craft, right through to agricultural machinery on display,” he said.

“There’s a little bit there to hold everybody’s interest, and we attract a lot of people from outside of Ballarat.”

Mr Glass said it’s hard to put a figure on the exact benefit, but SpringFest is a valuable contributor to the city’s economy.

“We attract a lot of people from outside Ballarat, that’s a big thing. The economic benefit for Ballarat, using certain formulas, it’s got to be well over $1 million that comes into town.

“We use local suppliers for everything, there’s nothing we get from outside Ballarat, so there’s a real flow-on effect back through the local businesses. About half our stallholders are out-of-towners,” Mr Glass said.

Sponsorship is always a crucial initial step for his team of organisers, and the festival has some new supporters this year, including Optus.

“Firstly, we get that in place because it’s really hard to run the event cost-wise without them,” he said.

“Peter Stevens MG is in for a second year and RACV Goldfields Resort have been doing it pretty consistently… so we’ve been really fortunate this year to have those and more on board.”

SpringFest Ballarat is presented by Optus. Visit ballaratspringfest.com.au to see events and activities in all areas.