THE Golden Gateway Festival begins Friday and this year celebrates 60 years of operation.
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The diamond jubilee will be the central theme for the 10 day event and punters can expect the usual great line up of events – with some minor differences.
Co-organiser Wilfred Dickeson said this year will welcome some new community members to the parade, including the Filipino Australian Community of Ararat Inc.
“It’s fantastic. It shows they have taken to the community and want to be involved,” he said.
Mr Dickeson said although it can be hard to judge how many people attend the festival, there will be events for people of all ages and interests to participate in.
“There are so many things happening that people get spread far and wide (across different events) but the numbers are usually very good. There’s something for everybody.”
Festivities will kick off on Friday October 28 with an all day display at the Orchid Glasshouse in Alexandra Gardens.
Events will proceed throughout the day, culminating in the official launch event from 6pm to 8pm, followed by the Golden Ararat Golden Gateway Gala Ball from 8pm, where the 2018 festival queen will be announced.
The Ararat Gold Dig will take place over the weekend from October 20 to 21 at Green Hill Lake Reserve, or for those after a different kind of treasure a garage sale trail will be running on both days.
Sunday will include Rex Hunt’s Vic Fish Kids Program and the Ararat Golden Gateway Festival Baby Show.
A week of events and come and try classes will follow, with the famous Saines Lucas Festival Parade taking place on Sunday October 28 from 11am, beginning from Edith Cavell Reserve.
For a full schedule of events pick up a copy of the program at the Ararat Newsagents, the Ararat and Grampians Visitor Information Centre, or the Ararat Advertiser.