Source: New South Wales Ministerial News
A vibrant line up of free public activations is planned to encourage residents and visitors to shop, dine, and be entertained as part of the City of Greater Bendigo’s Christmas Love your Local campaign.
Mayor Cr Thomas Prince said the program of free activations will play an important role in supporting local businesses in the lead up to Christmas.
“As the countdown to Christmas begins, the City of Greater Bendigo is excited to announce a series of free public activations as part of a Love your Local campaign. This initiative encourages everyone to enjoy free festive entertainment, shop, dine, and support locally owned businesses wherever possible,” Cr Prince said.
“Greater Bendigo boasts an incredible mix of retailers, eateries, producers, makers, suppliers, and attractions ready to make your Christmas truly special. When you shop locally, you’re helping businesses to thrive and create new job opportunities. Local businesses bring vibrancy to our streets and precincts, so keeping shoppers’ spending in the region makes a real difference.”
The City will also promote a new Love your Local Christmas campaign across radio, print and social media platforms to encourage shoppers to spend locally.
City activations and other community event highlights:
- The Bendigo Art Collective Artists Market is on tomorrow, Saturday November 15 from 12pm to 4pm. The market will feature an open-air gallery, live artists’ demonstrations, art activities for all ages and craft goodies. This event has been made possible through the City Centre Community Activations Grant Program
- Bit Sketchi Bendigo hosted its second of five free events as part of the City’s Community Activations Grants program at Dai Gum San precinct today, November 14. The fully booked event invited people to draw and paint quick sketches with local artist Kim Lowe from 2inspire
- The traditional lighting of the Christmas tree with the Mayor will be held on Friday, November 21. In the lead-up to the event, residents and visitors can enjoy twilight shopping in View Street, Bath Lane, and Chancery Lane, with selected stores open until 7pm
- Locals Live will be rocking Hargreaves Mall on Thursday, November 27, from 5pm to 10pm to celebrate Aus Music T-Shirt Day. With performances from Earth Cadet, Sherri Parry, Charlie Bedford, Mariah McCarthy, and Grim Fawkner. Wear your favourite Aus Music t-shirt and help raise funds for the charity Support Act. Phoenix FM will do a live broadcast
- Eaglehawk Children’s Festival has a fantastic range of activities including an animal farm, art and craft and live entertainment from 4.30pm to 7.30pm on Friday November 28
- Bendigo Art Collective Artists Market will present a Christmas shopping evening event from 4pm to 8pm on Friday December 12 in Hargreaves Mall featuring an open-air gallery, artist demonstrations, free art activities for all ages
- Bendigo Heritage Attractions will host its popular Elf Academy from December 13 to December 21 at the Beehive Building in the city centre. To complement the Elf Academy sessions, the City is supporting free activations in Hargreaves Mall including Farmer Darryl’s mobile animal farm
- The City’s Summer in the Parks has a full program of community events over the coming weeks including Christmas Carols in Epsom, Heathcote, Maiden Gully, Axedale, Marong, Eaglehawk and Rosalind Park