Bendigo Easter Festival
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[edit] The First Bendigo Easter Fair
The first Bendigo Easter Fair was instigated by Burnside and Aspinal to raise funds for the Sandhurst Benevolent Asylum and Hospital. The first fair was held in 1871 and raised over £1000 for this charitable cause. The fair was considered such a success that it has been held every year since, making Australia's longest continuous running festival. The Festival is held every Easter and throughout its history has varied from one to ten days in duration.
[edit] Events
[edit] Gala Parade
In 1893 reports in The Weekly Advertiser describe a parade held that included a large and colourful Chinese section that delighted crowds. Since then the Chinese community has supported and been part of the Festival. Today the gala parade features upwards of 100 floats entered by local community groups, schools, emergency services, and businesses. The parade traditionally ends with the large Chinese section. Chinese cultural groups from Bendigo and Melbourne participate in the parade, demonstrating lion and dragon dances. The gala parade is held on Easter Monday each year.
[edit] Torchlight Procession
The Torchlight procession is a night-time parade that appeared prior to 1900. It heavily features local emergency services, with local volunteer fire brigade members marching with brass torches. In recent times the parade has ended at Bendigo's Lake Weeroona where entertainment, activities and fireworks have been held. The Torchlight Procession is held on Easter Sunday each year.
[edit] Popular Girl
A fund raising event called "Popular Girl" was held in which well-known local women raised money and in doing so gained "votes" and the person that raised the largest number of votes was crowned the "Popular Girl". The "Popular Girl" competition is no longer held.
[edit] Carnival
Originally held in several locations including Roslyn Park, Bendigo Showgrounds and, more recently, the Bendigo Central Business District, the carnival features a large number of 'sideshow alley'-type attractions and children's rides.
[edit] Chinese Spring Festival and Golden Dragon Museum
The Chinese Spring Festival has been held regularly for many years. It marks the appearance of Sun Loong, the New Dragon, thought to be the World's longest Imperial Dragon. The Spring festival culminates in the "Waking the Dragon" ceremony that prepares the Dragon for the Gala Parade. Sun Loong first appeared in 1971 and was created to replace Loong. Loong is now not a part of the parade and Both dragons are on display at the Golden Dragon Museum in Bendigo.
[edit] New Name, Same Festival
The Bendigo Easter Fair was renamed The Bendigo Easter Festival in 2001. It is still a very popular event attracting over 100,000 people over the four day event.
