FEATURING 10 days jam-packed with fun, flavour and music, this year’s Harmony Fest embraces the theme “All of Us”, with events exploding across the city in celebration of Ballarat’s wonderful diversity.
Now in its seventh year, Harmony Fest continues to grow in size, popularity and participation. This year’s program acknowledges the wonderful initiatives being championed by the community and corporate sectors in Ballarat during Cultural Diversity Week 2017.
As part of the festival, a handful of participating Ballarat restaurants will serve “Tastes of the World”, a special opportunity for local restaurants to feature and celebrate their unique cuisines and cultures, and for diners to have a truly cultural experience whilst tantalising their tastebuds.
The popular Harmony Fest Parade of Cultures will join the Ballarat Begonia Parade on March 13, a visual feast of many cultures, colours and sounds, and a spectacular way to kick off celebrations for Cultural Diversity Week 2017.
THIS year’s Ballarat Begonia Festival promises to once again be a colourful extravaganza, with the Begonia Parade along Wendouree Parade, between the Tramway Museum and the North Gardens.
Kids will be kept entertained at The Alkazar comedy and circus show tent, while the Lego display everyone has grown to love will this year take the form of a Lego Trail Competition, with 10 creations hidden throughout the Botanical Gardens. Super sleuths who find them all can go in the draw for a nine-night Pacific Island Cruise.
Better Homes and Gardens landscaping guru Jason Hodges also returns, delivering plenty of handy gardening tips.
Top if off with an abundance of gastronomical delights and beautiful begonia displays, and it’s no wonder the Begonia Festival is a highlight for many on the Ballarat calendar.
UNCOVER the mystery and discover Ballarat’s history at this year’s Ballarat Heritage Weekend. This free celebration of our city’s heritage takes place on the final weekend in May from 10am to 5pm and will focus on the mysterious past of Ballarat, with a keen focus on the 1950s.
History buffs can explore a range of beautiful heritage buildings as they put their detective skills to the test on the immersive “Mystery Trail” experience, enjoy a ride on the classic horse and carriage, see the city from a different view aboard the Double Decker buses, or take a journey on the classic steam trains.
Vintage Fashion will again be a highlight of Heritage Weekend, together with the classic cars travelling through the CBD and displayed at numerous locations. Top it off with a range of children’s activities, and there’s something for the whole family to enjoy.
- Harmony Fest 2017 runs March 17-March 26. For more information, visit www.ballarat.vic.gov.au/lae/events/harmonyfest
- The Begonia Festival is a free event held March 11-13 at the Ballarat Botanical Gardens. For more information visit www.ballaratbegoniafestival.com.au
- Ballarat Heritage Weekend is on May 27 and 28 at various venues and locations in Ballarat. For more information visit www.heritageweekend.com.au