The Lady Bug is set to wow those of all ages at the 2011 Ballarat Begonia Festival to be held over the Labour Day long weekend Saturday 12 – Monday 14 March, 10am – 5pm.

Following on from the success of the Mad Hatter at last year’s event, Earl Leonard will visit the festival again this year as ‘The Lady Bug’. Children and parents alike will love the quirky mix of songs to sing and dance to along with party games and lots of fun and surprises from the garden.

Children are encouraged to come along dressed as their favourite beetle, bug, butterfly or favourite garden critter. Each day the most imaginative bug costume will be selected to win a $200 Fun Bugs voucher.

City of Ballarat Portfolio Councillor for Destination and Connections Samantha McIntosh said she was thrilled that The Lady Bug was one of the star attractions of this year’s Begonia Festival.

“This year’s Festival keeps getting better and better. A range of great performers, a gourmet food and wine experience, the ever popular Begonia Display and a free twilight screening of The Wizard of Oz are just some of the highlights.

“I’m sure the children visiting the Festival this year will thoroughly enjoy the The Lady Bug, along with the many other entertainers including the Magician, the Circus Firemen and Fifi and the Flowertots.

“For those who haven’t visited the Festival recently, I encourage you to come along and rediscover the beauty of Ballarat’s Lake and Gardens precinct and enjoy the range of free activities and entertainment on offer.”

The Lady Bug will perform at 10am each day during the Festival on the Main Stage.

For more information on this year’s Begonia Festival visit www.ballaratbegoniafestival.com