IT might be chilly, but there\u2019s lots to be cheerful about.<\/p>\n
The City of Ballarat announced its Winter Festival program last week, and it features fun family experiences that aim to bring some joyful warmth to freezing days.<\/p>\n
The fest is set to run from Saturday 24 June to Sunday 16 July, and mayor Cr Des Hudson said it will be a celebration that embraces Ballarat\u2019s reputation as a cold destination.<\/p>\n
\u201cPut on some warm clothes, a warm beanie, come out and be part of the many events across Ballarat,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe ice-skating rink is back for three weeks. Every year it is extremely popular… with disco themes and Bollywood. I\u2019ll be there if the disco is 80s themed.\u201d<\/p>\n
The iconic and vibrant Winter Wonderlights evenings are back at Sovereign Hill, the Knights of Fire are returning to Kryal Castle for an eighth year, and Ballarat Wildlife Park\u2019s animals, including penguins, will be ready to meet curious visitors.<\/p>\n
Also on the program are the Design Exchange Market, Be_Hear\/Now live music, food experiences, performances, workshops, and demonstrations.<\/p>\n
Visitors to the fortress at the foot of Mount Warrenheip can expect to get fired up.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a medieval experience, but a warm version,\u201d Kryal Castle CEO Bart Hamilton said. \u201cThis year we\u2019re firing up a flaming trebuchet, we\u2019ll light the cannon ball on fire, and throw it about 50 metres.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur knights do a fire sword fight, they light their jousts and do a fight, and we bring out the dragons that breathe fire. It should be fun.\u201d<\/p>\n
Three weeks ago, Ballarat Wildlife Park welcomed a new resident, with the arrival of Akasha the Sumatran-Siberian tiger.<\/p>\n
She is the sister of the park\u2019s first tiger Kai, and marketing manager Darren Collinson said the Ballarat Winter Festival will be the perfect time for families to meet her.<\/p>\n
\u201cAkasha has settled in, and now she\u2019s very happy to be greeting people,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe also have two extra penguins, Bunny and Hop, which were rescues from Phillip Island. They had been rehabilitated but couldn\u2019t be released out into the wild, so they\u2019ve found a new home with us.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019ve settled beautifully into the little colony and their new environment.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cr Hudson said the festival is an opportunity to drive tourism, and economic growth.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s lots to do,\u201d he said. \u201cWe\u2019re seeing people travelling and wanting to engage in family friendly activities.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople can come and stay a while in Ballarat, especially South Australian visitors in the first week of their school holidays.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe can showcase Ballarat and get a good economic boost for our tourism industry, and locals can enjoy the events, and stay out for dinner.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
IT might be chilly, but there\u2019s lots to be cheerful about. The City of Ballarat announced its Winter Festival program last week, and it features fun family experiences that aim to bring some joyful warmth to freezing days. The fest is set to run from Saturday 24 June to Sunday 16 July, and mayor Cr […]<\/p>\n