Festival springs back

By Lachlan Ellis

It’s been more than three years since the Ballan Autumn Festival (BAF) filled the streets with fun, but the Festival is ‘springing back’ and it’s on this weekend.

The festivities will kick off at 9am on Sunday 13 November, with this year’s theme ‘Bloomin’ Marvellous’ signifying the decision to hold the Festival in spring this year, after it was postponed again this year in autumn.

From a Devonshire tea held by the CWA, to face painting, free pony rides, and of course the famous Grand Street Parade at 11am, there will be something for everyone at this year’s BAF.

President of the BAF Committee, Kevin Harper, said it was exciting to be finally bringing the Festival back to Ballan.

“The excitement in town is great, everyone seems to be looking forward to the Festival. We’re very pleased that we’ve got some good volunteers coming along to assist, and the fact that we’ve managed to pull it off with such a small Committee, we’re excited and proud about that,” Mr Harper told the Moorabool News.

“We’ve got quite a good line-up of entertainment, including Rose’s stage caravan, and that’s going to be in one of the paddocks on the main street. St Anne’s Winery will be serving wine and beer in that paddock, and we’ll have local well-known artists performing.”

The Committee has a wet weather program ready in case of rain, and stalls will be under the verandas of shops, but fingers are of course crossed for a lovely sunny spring day.

There will also be a best dressed competition – both for people, and for shopfronts – with vouchers to local shops on offer for the best dressed people, while the best dressed shopfront will win a professionally produced advertising video package.

To be in the running, upload a photo of your outfit or your shopfront to Instagram, and use the hashtag #bafbestdressed.

A crowd favourite is also the pet show, sponsored this year by Crossroads Trading in Ballan.

For more information and to get a copy of the BAF program, head to ballanautumnfestival.com.au.