One of the highlights of the festival used to be the crowning of the Queen of the Begonias; a beauty contest looking to highlight women in Ballarat.

These types of coronations have since been forgotten, however The Courier is shining a light on the prospective Begonia Queens of 1969.

The contest was won by Miss Pauline Lunnon, a 19-year-old saleswoman and dressmaker from Ballarat.

Upon winning, Ms Lunnon was donned with The Courier sash, along with a red velvet cape and a "crown of glittering stones".

Her prize for winning included a return flight for two and a week's accommodation in Sydney as well as $100 cash and other various gifts.

While the Queens of Begonia are no more, this year's festival still includes a vast collection of highlights around Ballarat.

Ballarat Botanical Gardens will be a hive of activity from Saturday to Monday.

Dirtgirl will be present across the weekend, performing with her band Mother Nature on Saturday and participating in meet and greets and workshops on Sunday and Monday.

A newcomer to the festival, former host of the TV series A River Cottage Australia Paul West will be participating in talks and presentations across all three days.

Popular television personality Costa 'The Garden Gnome' Georgiadis will also make an appearance on Monday for a Get Grubby workshop with Dirtgirl.

Do you know any past participants or Begonia Queens? Send through your stories to ben.hopkins@fairfaxmedia.com.au.

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