Easter in Bendigo

Easter means different things to different people but for some, it is a four-day holiday where they can hook up the caravan or camper and head off.

My home town of Bendigo is renowned for its Easter Festival. And I wonder how many caravanners have set up camp here for a few days, to enjoy the variety of entertainment that has been on offer.

A Bendigo stay at Easter time, will give you a diverse range  of activities to choose from, with all ages catered for. There are art displays and photographic displays. Antiques and woodworking displays. Or maybe you would like to browse a second hand book stall. Try the Book fair as there are plenty of books to choose from. Are you a good golfer, then how about a go at the Hole in One. For the younger ones you can head to Rosiland Park, where the activities are quite friendly on the wallet.
The teenagers will be happy with all the noisy rides that are dotted along some of the city streets. 

The Easter fair has had some changes to its program schedule over its 148 years of existence. The most recent changes have seen the Gala Procession switched to Easter Sunday, which leaves the Monday for  tourists and locals to visit all the exhibitions.
The Torchlight procession which is now on the Saturday evening is a way for everyone to honour the dedication of the emergency service personnel.

This year hubby and I decided to go to the Torchlight Procession. Now I admit that it has been many years since we have taken up a position on the side of the street, waiting in the half dark for some fire trucks and firies to march by.  But I must say I was impressed! Fire men and women marching proudly in their dark uniforms holding their flaming torches; gleaming fire trucks with sirens blaring and red and blue lights flashing. S.E.S and Forest fire management groups also displaying their well equipped vehicles, and  marching alongside were their highly trained members.

Brightly lit trucks followed, adorned with business logos, and carrying proudly cleaned and polished equipment. Pamphlets were distributed by runners along the parade route, or lucky kids may have received a high five from a participant dressed as a super hero. Floats carrying children  waving happily to the crowds, or pole dancers and rock and roll dancers entertained those lining the streets.

How did they manage to exercise on those poles while being on the back of a truck ?

Friendly conversations start up with others around you while waiting in anticipation for the procession to begin. It is good to share a bit of local knowledge with any visitors. James, a newly arrived resident from Sydney, was interested in all that our town had to offer. He had heard about our Easter festival and was very pleased to be able to experience it.

Bendigo is so close to other towns who have great Easter entertainment. You can head to Rheola to see tractor pulls, sheep dog trials or footraces; or Rushworth to see working horse displays or perhaps a wander around  the market.  

Easter Monday saw us venturing down to Maldon, where they also put on a fabulous Easter Parade. Pipe bands, brass bands, gleaming duco on cars from long ago. Penny farthings and a variety of other bicycle contraptions; and they were being ridden up the hill. How fit were those riders?

Maldon is an old fashioned, family orientated festival. Watching the egg tossing in the main street, I couldn’t help but wonder how many of the contestants went home smelling like scrambled egg! The Central Victorian Lion Team, with bright colours and agile movements kept the crowds wanting more. And you could hunt down a rabbit ear adorned official to buy a ticket so you could take your chance at the spinning wheel. Oh well , no luck for us, but all funds were gladly donated.

If you are thinking about heading this way next year for Easter, then you will have plenty to keep you entertained. And just maybe you will be here to witness the arrival of our new Chinese Dragon, Dai Gum Loong.  Our current dragon, Sun Loong, is due for a well earned rest and much needed restoration, after serving Bendigo, the Chinese association and the Easter Festival, well.

     Happy and safe  travels  everyone and continue to enjoy our beautiful country.