Gala Day
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Gala Day is a one day festival held in the city of Geelong, Victoria, Australia. The festival raises money for the Geelong Hospital, and was known for the street parade though Central Geelong by local community groups, amusement rides in the main street, a sideshow_alley, and showbag stalls.
[edit] History
The first Gala Day was held on November 3, 1916, to raise money for the Red Cross Society at the height of World War I.[1] After the success of the first festival, Gala Day was adopted as an annual event, the second festival being held on November 2, 1917. It was not until 1927 that the Geelong Hospital took over responsibility for running the festival.[1]
The festival has been traditionally held on a Friday weekday, students at local schools are often given the day off. Some schools missed out, receiving the Friday of the Royal Geelong Show off instead, while others received both days off in November.[2]
As of 2006 the festival was changed, being renamed the Gala Appeal "Family Fun Day" and moved to the first week of December. The festival is now held in Johnstone Park, and has been accused of being "watered down" from the old event by some.[2]
[edit] References
- ^ a b Begg, Peter (1990). Geelong - The First 150 Years. Globe Press. ISBN 0-9592863-5-7.
- ^ a b Recollections of 2006 Gala Day Christmas Fair
