BALLARAT'S Begonia Parade will be put into hiatus for 12 months, but an expanded festival will now be held over three weeks and four weekends as to line up with COVID-safe requirements.
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It has been confirmed Ballarat's historic Begonia Festival will be celebrated in 2021 from Saturday March 6 to Sunday March 28 with the event to be activated across much of Ballarat's CBD in order to avoid concentrated crowds in line with government restrictions.
But the change up, brought about by the lack of numbers that can gather in the one place at the one time, means that for the first time since 1953, the Begonia Parade will not be able to go ahead.
Instead, it will be given a 12 month recess with plans for a grand return in 2022.
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However, other major attractions including the begonia display at the Botanical Gardens will return and be on display throughout March.
Other plans for the new look festival include an illuminated garden, floral installations and a pop-up garden display which will be created by local artists and suppliers.
In 2020, the Begonia Festival was the last major event that was held across the City of Ballarat before the first lockdown took hold, so the return in 2021 will be an important step in the city's recovery from a year marred by lockdown, job losses and uncertainty.
A City of Ballarat spokesperson said the aim of the new-look festival was to create a "whole-of-city" experience in 2021 that will bring visitors to Ballarat into the CBD.
"The safety and well-being of all participants and spectators is foremost in all our events planning," the spokesperson said.
"The Begonia Festival Parade will take a hiatus in 2021 to avoid concentrated crowds in line with government regulations for COVID safe events.
"Out of respect for our many partners, these changes have been communicated to our stakeholders.
"The City will make further announcements about the new and exciting format for the 2021 Begonia Festival in the New Year."
At this stage, it is not known whether the cancelled Australia Day fireworks display will be moved to coincide with the Begonia Festival.
Ballarat's first Begonia Festival was held on March 12 1953 and was run by the Greater Ballarat Association and facilitated by the Department of Education.
The inaugural Ballarat Begonia Festival was opened by Prime Minister Robert Menzies and featured an 11-day program of events that included archery demonstrations, square dancing and floral displays.
Queen Elizabeth II attended the festival in 1954 and the Queen Mother visited a few years later in 1958.
Over the decades the festival has included just about everything from car rallies, to sheep dog trials and talent quests. In the 1970's a long distance march was introduced. The Begonia Queen competition ran until the 1990's.
The new-look Begonia Festival is the latest in a string of events which are being planned for February and March across Ballarat.
Already locked in, barring any further COVID-19 outbreaks, are the Cycling Australia Road Nationals, the Rock Ballarat Festival, Beer Fest and its compatriot Funkn Fest to be run on the following day and the Daylesford Chill-Out Festival.
This week, the City of Ballarat also launched its 'Summer of Fun campaign which is aimed at attracting both residents and visitors to enjoy Ballarat diverse food and wine experiences over the summer.
The campaign aims to attract tourists that may traditionally travel overseas at this time of the year and are looking for new ways to experience areas across regional Victoria.
