Mayor's Message Thursday 4 February 2021

One of the things I have most looked forward to about 2021 is the return of some of the fantastic events we know and love in Ballarat. 

This week cycling action takes centre stage, with the Federation University Road National Championships lighting up Ballarat and Buninyong. 

And as summer gives way to autumn, we’ll see the return of two of Ballarat’s signature festivals, the Ballarat Begonia Festival and Ballarat Heritage Festival, formerly Ballarat Heritage Weekend. 

Most excitingly, both events will be celebrated over an extended period this year. 

The Ballarat Begonia Festival will be held from Saturday 6 March to Sunday 28 March and the Ballarat Heritage Festival will now be celebrated Friday 7 May to Sunday 30 May. 

Both festivals have changed from their traditional weekend timeslots to three weeks, including four weekends of activation.  

With COVID restrictions, it’s not possible to have 60,000 people at the Ballarat Begonia Festival over the March long-weekend.  

Extending these events will provide the community with more opportunities to attend, spread crowds over a larger footprint and deliver event content in a way that provides greater benefit for local business. 

Most of the event activities for the Ballarat Begonia Festival will be programmed in central Ballarat. 

This year both events will feature new installations and exciting content to support festival favourites including the Begonia Display at the Robert Clark Conservatory and the Tweed Ride throughout Ballarat as part of the Ballarat Heritage Festival.  

Watch this space for further updates or visit ballaratbegoniafestival.com.au and ballaratheritagefestival.com.au for more information and opportunities to be involved. 

Mayor 

Cr Daniel Moloney