With an ethereal mist adding a lachrymose touch to a gloomy winter dawn and the cloud unfurling about Warrenheip like a winding sheet, it had all the promise of a classic grey Ballarat weekend. But after this grim beginning the first events of Winterlude have flowered like a holiday treat.
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The centrepiece attraction, the pop-up ice rink beneath the town hall attracted people from near and far and showed that the weather need not be great for people to have fun. Every session at the rink was sold out and The Courier spoke with people from across the region and as far away as Nhill who enjoyed the novelty and diversion. The City of Ballarat and organisers must be congratulated for their inspiration on this event as it already proves to be popular with locals and one more reason to consider a visit to Ballarat. With the special winter offerings at Sovereign Hill and many cafes crowded on the weekend, there are more and more reasons for the climatically challenged to give Ballarat another look. Not such a dull weekend after all.