The Power FM Begonia Parade is an iconic community event staged on Labour Day as part of Ballarat’s Begonia Festival.

With around 10,000 people coming out to see what has been described as Ballarat’s "heart and soul on parade", you are invited to join the City of Ballarat make the 2023 parade the biggest, brightest and the most beautiful we've seen! 

Date:  Monday 13th March 2023

This is a COVIDSafe event held under the current government guidelines.

The details within this application form will inform you of the 2023 parade entry requirements and assist you with the preparation.  

Here are a few things to consider...

In order to enhance the parade experience and engagement with the crowd, the following guidelines apply:

• Strictly NO non-essential vehicles are permitted as part of your entry. Should a sign written vehicle form part of your concept, it must have visual appeal or be adequately decorated. Your ideas around this need to be discussed early with event organisers. 
• NO tin rattling, NO political, religious protesting or non family friendly messages
• Stationary demonstrations are only permissible if the parade has come to a halt. 
• Entry length guidelines of 10m (or 4 vehicles) exist. Please email event organisers early to discuss special considerations.  
• There is a strict limit of 150 vouchers / promotional hand outs per entrant. Vouchers and items must be discussed with event organisers early and approved by the City of Ballarat prior to their production. 

These initiatives help ensure the event continues to remain a crowd favourite and free platform for groups to promote themselves to the Ballarat and wider community.

Please note, it will be compulsory for your group to:

1. Complete this application form 
2. Have public liability insurance  
3. Have a representative complete the City of Ballarat online safety induction 

Have a representative attend one of the pre-parade briefing sessions to complete the City of Ballarat volunteer induction process.

This person will then be responsible for communicating the details to their group’s participants.

At any time should you need clarification or assistance with your entry, please do not hesitate to contact Nicole Bartlett on 0439 632 575 / nicole@nlbcreativeandevents.com.au 

IMPORTANT DATES & CONTACTS

Parade Details
Event: The 2023 Power FM Begonia Parade
Date: Monday 13th March 2023
Parade Time: 11am – Noon
Location: Wendouree Parade (South Gardens to North Gardens).

Parade Manager
Name: Nicole Bartlett (NLB Creative + Events)
Mobile: 0439 632 575
Email: nicole@nlbcreativeandevents.com.au

Parade Applications Close
Sunday 5th February 2023 

Pre Parade Briefing
** compulsory attendance to one of the following sessions
Monday 20 February 2023 (5:30pm to 6:30pm)
Thursday 23 February 2023 (4:00pm - 5:00pm)

Robert Clarke Centre, Ballarat Botanical Gardens

THEMING YOUR ENTRY

The focus of the Parade is to celebrate our community and your groups contribution and role within it. We encourage you to think about how you can represent your group or business in the most colourful, effective and interesting way possible. 

There is no theme in 2023 allowing groups to utilise pre-existing materials and costumes if desired.

Entries can be purpose-built floats, decorated vehicles, a mass collection of people marching together, floating objects…. put your thinking caps on and GET CREATIVE! The crowd would love to see some more floats! 

All applications will be passed through criteria keeping the standard at a high level, so please include as much detail as you can within your application form.

Here are some theme ideas to brainstorm:

• A particular movie
• A popular video clip
• Something you love about Ballarat
• A season (ie: winter)
• A particular decade (ie: 70s)
• Anything starting with a letter of the alphabet
• A colour
• Aussie icons
• Rock gods
• Circus Performers
• Pirate, Cops & Robbers, Fairies
• Spooky, Space, Tropical, Jungle
• Masks
• Hollywood Stars
• Ugly Sweater / Bad taste

There are so many simple ideas that could be easy, effective and cost-friendly, but if you are looking for some inspiration, check out the images from previous years on the Begonia Festival Facebook page or call event organisers. 

COVID 19 Requirements

This is a COVIDSafe event held under the current government guidelines.

As a condition of participation/attendance, proof of vaccination status will be required for parade participants and spectators 12 + years and over.

You will also be required to:

1. Stay at home if you are feeling unwell
2. Practice good hand and cough hygiene
3. Wear a face covering if required
4. Follow all reasonable safety instructions and attend pre-event briefing to address key safety measures; and
5. Take care of your own wellbeing and that of others.

AWARDS

In 2023 awards will be presented in the following categories:

• Mayor’s Choice Award
• Best Schools Entry
• Best Community Entry
• Best Business Entry
• Best Musical Entry

PARADE DURATION, LOCATION & WEATHER

The 2023 Parade has been scheduled to run from 11am to 12noon from the South Gardens to the North Gardens precinct. It will be undertaken at slow walking pace and temporary halts may occur.

Both sides of the road will be closed to all vehicle traffic allowing the viewing public close access. Marshalling instructions will be provided closer to the event. 

The average temperature for early March is 20ºC, but as we all know weather can be extremely unpredictable. 

Please be prepared for the parade duration and distance (approximately 1km) and share in the City of Ballarat's committment to participate in all weather conditions.

 

SIGNAGE & COMMENTARY

A sign with your groups name will be provided on event day to each entry. You will need to designate a representative to walk at the front of your group to carry this sign. There will be live commentary during the Parade by 103.1 Power FM. Make sure you fill out the description and commentary section as accurate as possible as this will form the basis of the commentary on Parade Day.

ARRIVAL / DEPARTURE TIME 

Arrival times will be confirmed within the parade briefing however for safety and operational reasons, groups should be prepared to arrive approximately as follows:

• Vehicles to arrive between 8am to 9am
• Pedestrians to be ready by 9:30am
• Judging will commence from 9:45am

The de-marshalling area must be cleared by 12.30pm. 

SAFETY & RISK ASSESSMENT

The safety of your float or entry is paramount to all participants. Safety guidelines do apply to participants sitting or standing on moving vehicles / objects and you should discuss this with event organisers before finalising plans. 

Please take note while planning your entry / float: 

• All vehicles must be roadworthy and hold the appropriate registrations valid on Monday 13th March 2023.
• Under no circumstances should you have sharp or harmful objects on or protruding from any structure or any part of the props;
• All participants should be fully versed and trained in the operation of any moving parts;
• The use of any flammable products such as sparklers or flaming batons is not permitted, and;
• Fire extinguishers are to be carried where appropriate.

Please detail all aspects of any safety considerations in the Float/Entry Description section of this form.

Friendly Reminder
The Power FM Begonia Parade is a community event and should not be used as your own personal or political forum. The City of Ballarat reserves the right to withdraw any float or entry we consider unsuitable, at any time.

PLEASE NOTE: Late applications will not be accepted unless with special circumstance.

PLEASE NOTE:

Clearance / Dimension limits are: 
• Maximum Float Height (each) 4.0m
• Maximum Float Width (each) 3.0m
• Maximum Length (per entry) 10.0m (or about 4 vehicles)

PHOTOGRAPHIC COPYRIGHT RELEASE

The City of Ballarat (NLB Creative + Events) will engage the services of an official photographer for the 2023 Power FM Begonia Parade. This acknowledges your consent for the City of Ballarat (NLB Creative + Events) to retain copyright and ownership of all photographic images taken of your group or display during the Ballarat Begonia Parade.

It also acknowledges that you agree to allow the City of Ballarat to use these images for promotional purposes without consultation and that you relinquish all rights to any payments or profits gained from the use of these images.

You agree that the City of Ballarat (NLB Creative + Events)

• Hold and retain copyright and ownership to all photograpic images that feature any individual associated with my entry, float or activity or part thereof during the 2023 Power FM Begonia Parade
• Has complete rights to the unlimited use of images for promotional purposes
• Will not need consult with me in regards to the use of these images

Furthermore, I/We relinquish all rights to any payments or profits that may be gained from the use of these images

PARADE INDEMNIFICATION

I/We agree to indemnify and keep indemnified the City of Ballarat, its officers, contractors, servants and agents against any claim, cost and expenses which may be incurred by the City of Ballarat because of my/our participation in any such City of Ballarat events and I agree not to make any claim against the City of Ballarat, its officers, contractors, servants and agents regarding my participation in this event.