By Helen Tatchell<\/p>\n
It is only five more sleeps until the themed Autumn Festival in Ballan begins.
\nAnyone can dress up and \u2018celebrate local superheros\u2019 on the day, or as the 1st Ballan Scouts have done prior, decorated haybales to complement the theme.
\nVolunteer organisers are expecting 10,000 visitors to the otherwise quiet township, with the festival the highlight of Ballan\u2019s public calendar.
\nPresident (BAF), Deryck Carruthers said the festival theme of \u201ccelebrating local superheroes\u201d has ensured a jam-packed programme of events and activities.
\n\u201cIn addition to an all-ages costume competition with prizes sponsored by Oz ComicCon, the festival has added a number of free workshops, on the superhero theme.
\n\u201cTo hone some of those superhero physical skills, Circus Lab will be teaching circus tricks and aspiring \u201cmad scientists\u201d can learn the basics of how to build machines with SciencePlay Kids,\u201d he said.
\nLocal artist and animator Jonny Hall will be teaching the basics of comic character design with a \u2018Create Your Own Superhero\u2019 workshop.
\nWith the Ballan Autumn Festival running for the past 45 years and costing close to $40,000 per year for volunteers to raise and deliver, the changing theme offers something fresh and different.
\n\u201cWe are super excited about this year\u2019s superhero offering, and are really impressed at what it\u2019s inspiring,\u201d Mr Carruthers said.
\n\u201cIt\u2019s thrilling be able to offer local people so many fun and diverse activities on the superhero theme. We can\u2019t get over just how excited people are for this year\u2019s festival.\u201d
\nIn addition to the workshops, there\u2019ll be the annual parade, rides, over a hundred stalls, street food, a petting zoo, a pet show, a high tea organized by the CWA and wandering superheroes organised by Moorabool Wind Farm. The Gorden Gospel Choir will be performing \u201csuperhero songs\u201d and dance group L2R will be busting some moves to a superhero theme.
\nBut wait, there\u2019s more. \u201cStraight Outta Wakanda!\u201d an African Star Dance and Drumming Company will be leading a fabulous drumming workshop.
\nYou can\u2019t miss this year\u2019s event. Put in in your diary, now.
\nThe Ballan Autumn Festival will take place in the main street this Sunday, March 15, 2020 from 9am-4pm.
\nFor further information and the full programme of events, go to the BAF website www.ballanautumnfestival.org or find them on Instagram or Facebook.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
By Helen Tatchell It is only five more sleeps until the themed Autumn Festival in Ballan begins. Anyone can dress up and \u2018celebrate local superheros\u2019 on the day, or as the 1st Ballan Scouts have done prior, decorated haybales to complement the theme. Volunteer organisers are expecting 10,000 visitors to the otherwise quiet township, with […]<\/p>\n