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\u201cAll ages were involved and we\u2019ve had one of the best begonia displays in decades with over 1000 plants. The amount of colour that\u2019s there… A sight to be seen, and not just ground cover,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
City of Ballarat curator of parks and nursery, Peter Marquand said he loved seeing people get out and simply enjoy the lush surrounds.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is the 26th begonia display in this building, and it\u2019s hard to believe it\u2019s been this long,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cVisitors have been impressed this year. It\u2019s nice because we get to see people seeing the displays for the first time, there\u2019s the regulars, and ones that will come back again over the next few weeks.\u201d<\/p>\n The festival hosted some familiar green thumbs in Costa Georgiadis and Sophie Thomson from Gardening Australia<\/em>, while Dirtgirl, Bluey and Bingo were a joy for kids to engage with.<\/p>\n But the mayor had his own highlight on Sunday, getting up on the Begonia Stage to pick up tips from MasterChef\u2019s<\/em> Poh Ling Yeow.<\/p>\n \u201cI was so lucky to get to cook with Poh. She was just so relaxed, comfortable and natural up there, answering questions as she went along,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cOn Sunday we also had MasterChef\u2019s<\/em> Tim Bone and Anushka Zargaryan, which was just an awesome day cooking. The audience was full.\u201d<\/p>\n The Begonia Parade on Monday morning attracted almost 10,000 people to cheer on the 50 community groups involved.<\/p>\n \u201cI gave the Mayor\u2019s Award to Our Lady Help of Christians Primary School, who dressed up as fish and jellyfish. They were celebrating that even though they\u2019re all different fish, they\u2019re all part of the one school,\u201d Cr Taylor said.<\/p>\n Roger O\u2019Connor has walked in many a Begonia Parade, a FOSH volunteer at Sovereign Hill for over 17 years. Thirty-five people represented the outdoor museum this year in costume.<\/p>\n \u201cI enjoy the people. The expressions on children\u2019s faces when they see the costumes really makes it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cSet in the 1850s, Sovereign Hill adds that nice contrast in comparison to other community and multicultural groups. The parade brings out diversity which is worth coming back for.\u201d<\/p>\n The festival market sites drew vendors from near and far to sell their specialty goods, from gifts and clothes, to plants.<\/p>\n Khim Gan-Dean is based in Melbourne with her fashion accessories brand, Kimik. Alongside husband, Michael Dean, she\u2019s presented her hand-crafted leather, resin and glass pieces, including flowers, at the Begonia Festival for four years.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have a point of difference from the other stallholders, what we do is unique, and it\u2019s worked for us here,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a very well-run event for us to be part of, a great size and there\u2019s a high level of professionalism, so kudos to the council and event managers.\u201d<\/p>\n Festivalgoer Kate is an annual visitor. Now with her two-and-a-half-year-old daughter, Willow, they make the most of the weekend\u2019s free children\u2019s activities.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/goldenplains\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/23\/2020\/03\/1W5A8887-for-web-300x200.jpg\")
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