Benalla Festival a big success

By Georgia Tacey

Nov 14, 2023

All smiles: Max Hansen, Charlotte Van Der Zalm and Maddie Van Der Zalm. Photo by Contributed

The last weekend of the Benalla Festival was a great success.

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After weekend one saw massive crowds attending the events across the region, weekend two saw a sensational ending to the festival.

Good times: Everyone enjoyed the many activities on offer. Photo by Contributed

The festivities ramped up again on Friday with Frock Up Friday. Hosted at the Benalla Art Gallery, people dressed to impress for an evening of cocktails, live music from the Benalla Classical Guitar Ensemble, as well as to hear all about the gallery’s latest exhibition, New Exuberance: Contemporary Australian Textile Design.

FReeZA put on a stellar performance at The Shed for the younger audiences, with the even younger ones treated to a special storytime at Benalla Library.

Saturday saw a day of unity and remembrance as the community gathered at the Cenotaph at 11am to observe a minute of silence.

Later in the day, Tomorrow Today hosted a scavenger hunt, where 30 teams embarked on an adventure around town and the lake to find significant places, people and events that have shaped Benalla, all while racing against the clock.

At the mural at Live Art Benalla, festival-goers enjoyed an afternoon of children’s entertainment, performances, visual arts and engaging workshops at the Ceramic Mural and Splash Park.

Live music: The shows brought out big crowds. Photo by Contributed

Motor enthusiasts lined the streets for a glimpse of automotive history with the Past, Present, Future Show, and Shine.

Meanwhile, golfers teed off for the Benalla Golf Club Tournament, and the Champions League Basketball 3x3 competition drew an enthusiastic crowd.

Fun for all: Many families headed down to Benalla by the Lake. Photo by Contributed

As the afternoon went on, people headed down to experience Benalla by the Lake, which offered live entertainment, children’s activities, delectable street food and beverages.

The night ended with a breathtaking fireworks display after an afternoon of live music on the main stage.

On the water: The warm weather proved perfect for the weekend’s activities. Photo by Contributed

Sunday saw the A Day in the Gardens Market, with more than 100 stalls, music and entertainment taking over the Botanical Gardens and Lake Benalla.

Additionally, the 2023 Yarrawonga Cup at the Benalla Racing Club attracted punters for a day of country racing, and the Benalla Airport Open Day celebrated the town’s history through the Aviation Museum.

Scavenger hunt: Many groups tried their hand at solving the scavenger hunt. Photo by Contributed

The newly opened Benalla Cinema also hosted the Benalla National and International Short Film Festival, showcasing the talents of local, national and international filmmakers.

Festival committee chair Justin King was thrilled by the success of the festival.

“This year’s Benalla Festival was an extraordinary celebration of our community’s rich history and vibrant culture,” Cr King said.