One of the most famous war planes to have ever taken to the skies will be on display for a bumper crowd at Springfest on Sunday.
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The annual event will mark its biggest ever festival with the arrival of a Harrier Jump Jet at North Gardens.
Aviation enthusiasts have been given the chance to sit inside the cockpit of the famous plane in return for a $15 donation.
Money raised from Springfest goes to the Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute.
The festival has become so big Ballarat City Council and the Ballarat Rotary Club will shut Wendouree Parade in one direction to accommodate a free lane in case emergency vehicles are needed.
It runs from 10am to 4pm on Sunday, although some events will start at 9.30am for people looking to get in early.
It will be the biggest Springfest ever. It has been running for 16 years or so and this will be the biggest that has ever been run.
- Ballarat Rotary Club's Greg Honeyman
Along with the Harrier Jump Jet, the Strongest Man and Woman competition will feature this year.
Unlike the 2016 incarnation of the festival, the event will this year require teams of two with one man and one woman, to pull a tram along the Lake Wendouree tracks. There will be prizes for the quickest times across the different weight divisions.
Rotary club spokesperson Greg Honeyman said it was going to be the biggest Springfest for Ballarat in 16 years.
“There will be all sorts of competitions running from 9.30am to noon near the tram sheds,” he said.
“The children’s Wonderfest will be here, sponsored by RACV Goldfields Resort, whose chefs and staff will teach kids cake baking and decorating.
“There will be games for the kids and adults to get involved.”
Mr Honeyman said there was a good variety of activities planned,
“The car show this year will include the Triumph Car Club,” he said.
:There will be all manner of Triumph sports cars, sedans, as well as the usual car clubs, the Fords, Holdens, Mustangs, Alfa Romeos.”
More than 480 market stalls have signed up to sell their wares at the festival as part of the effort to raise cash for the cancer research centre. A full schedule of events for the festival can be found at ballaratspringfest.com.au.
Patrons have been asked to be mindful of traffic restrictions during the day.