Community groups prepared flatbed trucks and cars to carry their characters and performers during the parade.

Festival committee president Daryl Chaplin said it was a very colourful event on Barkly Street.

“We have had a lot of good feedback from the community about it,” he said.

“It was one of the best parades we have had for the last few years.

“The festival over all went very well we were very happy with it.”

Taking centre stage during the parade were the festival’s king and queen.

King Rob Keith and Queen Nakia O’Riley had a busy schedule across the nine days of the event.

Festival committee member Missy Perry said the king and queen had gone beyond their regular duties to make unscheduled visits to Ararat Hospital and the city’s kindergartens.

“Our king and queen were fantastic, they attended everything they could,” she said.

“They thoroughly enjoyed their time during the week.”

The committee will host a wrap up dinner on Friday.

The queen entrants will also present cheques to the charities they sponsored.

Ms Perry said the community can also start to consider nominations for the 2017 Golden Gateway king.

She said the committee would also welcome involvement from new members.

“Our organisers volunteered to take on the parade this year and they did a brilliant job,” she said.

“Volunteers don’t have to take on a huge job, they can take one activity they think could improve the festival and work on that.”