50th festival a big bash all of Ballan enjoyed

A LARGE crowd took delight, and even part, in the 50th Ballan Autumn Festival at the weekend.

On Sunday 15 March, residents found all sorts of ways to put together an event that festival president Kevin Harper said meant so much to the town.

“Seeing the streets so full and the whole town buzzing with energy was simply wonderful,” he said. “It was a thrilling way to celebrate the 50th Ballan Autumn Festival and a reminder of how strong our community spirit is.”

He said the response from patrons in the thousands was fantastic.

Tate, Wyatt and Yvie were just some faces young and old who enjoyed the 50th Ballan Autumn Festival.

Festival visitors enjoyed live music, market stalls, family activities and entertainment. There was also the woodchop event, which made its return to the festival.

“Throughout the day our Facebook page and our messages had been buzzing with people saying thank you, what a great success it was,” he said.

The festival’s president said Ballan business owners also shared positive feedback.

“At the end of the day they’re all happy they had a great day’s trading,” he said. “They said that it was just such a wonderful, buzzing atmosphere that everybody coming in was happy.”

Renegade Bootscooters danced their way along Inglis Street in the parade.

He said it was a testament to the community that both residents and organisations pitched in to make the festival’s golden jubilee a success.

The festival, he said, would not have been possible without volunteers, sponsors and local businesses.

“It’s a diverse community that has every skill to bring on such a festival with just a small group, you know, seven volunteers,” he said. “But the whole town gets behind it in so many different ways.

“The cafes being open early for the stall traders who are coming in.

Gordon Ukestra won the Best Entertainer Award in the Grand Parade.

“It’s suddenly everyone is there together, the Friday night Chamber of Commerce, people offering any more help.”

The festival president said a highlight for him was the Grand Parade, which included floats, community groups and performers.

“The parade was just wonderful,” he said. “To see as I’ve said before everyone from a few weeks old baby in a papoose being carried by its mother to people from the aged care facility.”