Lifestyle & Entertainment
4 April, 2026
Easter Extravaganza to take over Main Street
STAWELL’S Main Street has come to life this morning as Stawell Biz stages its biggest event of the year, with huge crowds expected to flow through the town centre for the annual Easter Extravaganza. Running from 9am to 2pm today (Saturday, April 4), the event will stretch from St George Street to Patrick Street, turning a large section of the CBD into a family-focused hub of live entertainment, displays, food, raffles and activities for children.
Adrienne Preston, one of the driving forces behind Stawell Biz, said the Easter Extravaganza had become a major fixture on the town calendar and a key way of drawing people into local businesses during one of the town’s busiest weekends of the year. She and fellow Stawell Biz stalwart Llewelyn Clark have carried much of the workload in recent years.
“I think this is the sixth or seventh Easter Extravaganza Llewelyn and I have done,” Ms Preston said.
“It’s a great day. It’s very family-friendly, and the businesses win out of it as well, so it’s a win-win for everyone.”
While the event is built around fun and colour, Ms Preston said a great deal of planning happens behind the scenes to ensure it can run safely and smoothly.
“There’s a lot of boxes you’ve got to tick,” she said.
“You’ve got to think about hazards, weather, evacuation plans and how you’d communicate with people if something happened, because there are thousands of people in the street.”
That work begins months in advance, with many event applications completed as early as November. Ms Preston also praised support from Northern Grampians Shire, saying council staff had assisted with planning, posters and logistics.
Beyond Easter, Ms Preston said she hopes more local business owners will get involved with Stawell Biz as the group looks to grow its role as a voice and support network for the business community. Alongside major events, the group also hosts quarterly gatherings aimed at helping operators connect, share ideas and feel less isolated.
“It’s really important,” she said.
“When you’ve got your own business, sometimes you feel like you’re very much on your own. To know you can talk to another person about what’s going on in the business community is really good.”
Saturday’s line-up promises plenty to keep families occupied throughout the day, including a giant sandpit, CFA and SES displays, machinery exhibits, activities linked to the local gold mine, an Easter Bunny handing out eggs, and free caricature drawings.
Live entertainment will also be spread throughout the street, with performances by Stawell Performing Arts Company, Accidental High Notes, the Stawell Brass Band and taekwondo demonstrations, alongside Easter-themed music from City Heart Church and roving entertainers featuring juggling, hula hoops and stilt walking. Craft stalls, raffles, face painting, barbecues and food options will add to the festival atmosphere.
Ms Preston said organisers had worked to spread activities right along the street to encourage visitors to move through the town centre and spread the benefits across local businesses.
“We’re pretty full,” she said. “We spread it all out.”
She said the aim was simple: create a fun, welcoming day for families while bringing a strong flow of people through Main Street.
“It’s going to be packed full of fun,” she said.
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