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 2025 parade the biggest, brightest and the most beautiful we've seen! 

Date:  Monday 10th March 2025

The details within this application form will inform you of the 2025 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:

• NO tin rattling, NO political, religious protesting or non family friendly messages.
• Strict ban on environmentally harmful items: No balloons, plastic toys, or any other environmentally damaging items to be distributed or released at any point before, during, or after the parade.
• Stationary demonstrations are only permissible if the parade has come to a halt. 
• Only vehicles with significant visual appeal or appropriate decoration are allowed as part of your entry. Early discussions with event organisers are necessary if you plan to incorporate a sign-written vehicle into your concept.
• 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. 
• The Begonia Parade is family friendly event, and all entrants must ensure that their clothing/costumes remain appropriate. Outfits should not contain any form of offensive content, including imagery, symbols or language that is sexual or explicit, abusive, defamatory, discriminatory, or objectionable. Participants are expected to comply with this standard. Organisers reserve the right to determine the appropriateness of dress code if necessary.

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. Assign a primary contact for your entry who will undertake the following responsibilities:
   
   1. Attend one of the pre-parade briefing sessions to complete the City of Ballarat volunteer induction.
   2. Communicate all relevant information, including induction details, to the participants within your group.
2. Fill out the application form in its entirety.
3. Maintain public liability insurance.

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: 2025 Power FM Begonia Parade
Date: Monday 10th March 2025
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 9th February 2025 

Pre Parade Briefing
For New Groups:
Compulsory attendance to the following session,
Monday 17th February 2025 (5:30pm to 6:30pm) at the Robert Clarke Centre, Ballarat Botanical Gardens

For Previous Groups:
Each group must complete the Pre-Parade Briefing online.

 

THEMING YOUR ENTRY

The main focus of the Parade is to commemorate our community and recognise the contributions and roles of your respective groups within it. We urge you to consider how you can creatively showcase your group or business, making it vibrant, impactful, and engaging.

The Ballarat Begonia Festival embraces the beauty of nature and, of course, the iconic Begonia flower. The parade, in particular, offers participants the freedom to draw inspiration from their existing resources and costumes, as there is no set theme. You have the flexibility to craft entries such as custom-built floats, embellished vehicles, large groups marching in unison, or even whimsical floating creations. Unleash your creativity and let your imagination soar! We encourage more float entries to amplify the excitement of our enthusiastic audience.

Every application will be assessed against specific criteria to maintain a high standard. So, when filling out your application form, please provide as much detailed information as possible.

Here are some concepts to brainstorm:

- A particular film
- A well-known music video
- Something you adore about Ballarat
- A season (such as winter)
- A specific decade (like the 70s)
- Anything starting with a certain letter of the alphabet
- A color
- Australian cultural icons
- Legendary rock musicians
- Dazzling circus performers
- Themes like Pirates, Cops & Robbers, Fairies
- Mysterious, Space-inspired, Tropical, Jungle-themed
- Masks and disguises
- Hollywood's shining stars

Numerous straightforward ideas can be both simple to execute and budget-friendly. However, if you're seeking inspiration, take a look at past year's images on the Begonia Festival Facebook page or get in touch with the event organisers for guidance.

 

AWARDS

In 2025 awards will be presented in the following categories:

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

PARADE DURATION, LOCATION & WEATHER

The Parade is scheduled to take place from 11:00 AM to 12:00 noon, spanning the route from the South Gardens to the North Gardens precinct. The parade will move at a leisurely and comfortable pace.

To ensure an up-close experience for the public, both sides of the road will be closed off, barring any vehicle traffic. Closer to the event, you will receive instructions for marshalling.

While the typical temperature for early March hovers around 20ºC, it's important to recognise the unpredictability of weather. Please equip yourself for the duration and distance of the parade (approximately 1km), and join in the City of Ballarat's dedication to participating in all weather conditions.

 

SIGNAGE & COMMENTARY

On the day of the parade, a sign displaying your group's name will be provided to each entry. It will be necessary for you to appoint a representative who will lead your group and carry this sign. Throughout the Parade, 103.1 Power FM will be providing live commentary. It's crucial that you complete the description and commentary section with utmost accuracy, as this content will serve as the foundation for the commentary on the actual 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

Ensuring the safety of your float or entry is of utmost importance for all participants. It's essential to adhere to safety guidelines, especially when individuals are positioned on moving vehicles or objects. Before finalising your plans, engage in discussions with the event organisers regarding this matter.

When organising your entry or float, please take into account the following:

• All vehicles must be in proper condition for the road and possess valid registrations for Monday, March 10th, 2025.
• It is strictly prohibited to have any sharp or hazardous objects attached to or protruding from any structure or props.
• All participants must be well-informed and trained in the operation of any moving components.
• The use of flammable items such as sparklers or flaming batons is not allowed.
• Fire extinguishers should be carried where deemed necessary.
• Be sure to provide comprehensive details about any safety considerations in the Float/Entry Description section of this form.

Friendly Reminder: The Power FM Begonia Parade is a community-oriented event and should not serve as a platform for personal or political agendas. The City of Ballarat retains the right to withdraw any float or entry that is deemed unsuitable at any point.

PLEASE TAKE NOTE: Applications submitted after the deadline will only be accepted under special circumstances.

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 2025 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 2025 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.