Thousands of people flocked to Ballarat and the region this weekend, attracted by a packed calendar of events.
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The long-history of the Begonia Festival was continued this weekend, with hundreds travelling to Ballarat specifically for the event, particularly those with an interest in and love of gardening.
Around 2500 people packed the Ballarat Showgrounds on Saturday night for the Ballarat Stampede, a professional bull riding competition that returned for the second year to Ballarat.
Up to 10,000 people are at the Meredith Supernatural Ampitheatre during the long weekend for Golden Plains music festival.
Daylesford's LGBTIQ pride fesitval ChillOut grows in popularity and program size each year, including this year when around 1000 people lined the main street of Daylesford for the annual parade on Sunday.
Lovers of old carsdrove to Clunes on Sunday for the 10th Clunes Historic Vehicle Show.
The Ballarat Antique Fair is celebrating its 50th year, held for the second year at Civic Hall and the Mining Exchange.
Ballarat Antique Fair organiser Tony Markworth said attendance was good, sales were buoyant and people loved what they saw throughout the weekend.
"The dealers tend to save their very best pieces for this event. It has become a fixture on people's calendar," he said.
"We get visitors from all states and even from overseas and the dealers are smart enough to hunt down the best pieces during the year and bring them to this event.
"While buying online is all the rage, nothing beats seeing the item and examining it and talking to knowledgeable dealers who can share their passion about what you are collecting. Each piece is hunted down and researched, restored and has an interesting story."
Mr Markworth said antique dealers often travelled overseas to seek out the best pieces.
"It requires a lot of research to make sure the items are properly described and the most amazing stories are attached to many of items," he said.
The Uniting Book Fair is also held at St Andrews Hall this long-weekend to raise funds for the welfare organisation.
The Ballarat Begonia Quilter's exhibition is being held at the Ballarat Masonic Centre.
The Needles, Knots and Threads exhibition of embroidery and quilting by members of the Ballarat branch of the Embroiderers Guild Victoria at St Patrick's Hall in Dawson St will continue on Monday.
The Ballarat Begonia Festival Stamps and Coin Fair will be held in Eastwood Leisure Centre on the holiday Monday.
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