By Meg Kennedy<\/p>\n
It\u2019s almost bewitching hour in Ballan, with final preparations under way for the 2019 Ballan Autumn Festival.
\nOver the last week a spell has been cast over the main street, turning into a hub of wizardry and magic; including a poster of Harry Potter racing on his broomstick for the \u2018golden snitch\u2019 at the Ballan Post Office (pictured).
\nBallan Autumn Festival President Kevin Harper said he\u2019s most looking forward to the grand parade, due to the \u201cexcitement of seeing the whole local community coming together, using their talents in decorating the floats, and [seeing] the joy of those parents and friends waving to those taking part.\u201d
\n\u201cIt\u2019s Ballan celebrating what it does best, which is enjoying itself in the best way that it possibly can,\u201d said Mr Harper.
\nOther stand-out events for this year include the Ballan and District CWA\u2019s morning and afternoon teas, as well as live entertainment on stage.
\nFor what attendees should look out for, Mr Harper says that \u201croving magicians\u201d are a new addition for this year.
\n\u201cThere will be people providing tricks in the street and at the other venues, at the hotels, and the morning and afternoon teas being served in the Ballan Mechanics Hall,\u201d he said.
\nA tenet of the Autumn Festival has always been for Ballan to showcase its sense of community, and its something that Mr Harper hopes attendees take away from this year – particularly if last year\u2019s record-breaking numbers are anything to go by.
\n\u201cI hope that they would take away a sense of a community, working as a community. A community that lives together, works together and plays together, and a sense of what it is to be part of this small rural community,\u201d he said.
\nThe Ballan Autumn Festival committee is also still looking for volunteers to help early in the morning.
\n\u201cIf people could come at around 7am or 8am to help for a couple of hours, and then they can stay and enjoy the rest of the festival,\u201d said Mr Harper.
\nThe Ballan Autumn Festival will be held on Sunday, 17 March from 10-4pm, with the grand parade at 11am.
\nFurther information on the Ballan Autumn Festival, including how to become a volunteer, a sponsor, a complete list of entertainment, and interviews with sponsors can be found at https:\/\/www.ballanautumnfestival.org.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
By Meg Kennedy It\u2019s almost bewitching hour in Ballan, with final preparations under way for the 2019 Ballan Autumn Festival. Over the last week a spell has been cast over the main street, turning into a hub of wizardry and magic; including a poster of Harry Potter racing on his broomstick for the \u2018golden snitch\u2019 […]<\/p>\n