Benalla Festival celebrates community spirit

The opening weekend placed a spotlight on Benalla’s rural villages, with locals and visitors enjoying markets, open gardens and community celebrations in Devenish, Tatong, Molyullah, Swanpool and Major Plains.

Deputy Mayor and Benalla Festival Advisory Committee chair Justin King said the first weekend of the festival highlighted the pride and spirit of the region’s rural communities.

“It was wonderful to see our smaller townships come alive with events that really showcased the character of each community,” Cr King said.

“From open gardens and markets to live performances, there was a real sense of connection and celebration. It set the perfect tone for the week ahead.”

As the second week began, the focus shifted to Benalla township, where festivities continued with a series of major events that brought people together in their thousands.

On Monday, November 3, Diwali @ Mural lit up celebrations with colour, culture and community.

The Festival of Light featured traditional music and dance, food trucks and a stunning light projection on the Benalla Art Gallery, before concluding with a spectacular fireworks display over Lake Benalla.

Friday evening saw more than 100 singers join forces for Small Town Sing, led by Adam Toms and Catherine Burton. The event raised vital funds for the Live4Life program while filling the Benalla Visitor Information Centre with energy and harmony.

The Garage Sale Trail also proved a hit, with over 35 sales held across the municipality, promoting reuse and sustainability while connecting neighbours and bargain hunters.

Thousands flocked to the Lake Benalla Foreshore on Saturday for Benalla by the Lake, the festival’s signature event and a true celebration of local talent.

Families spread out picnic rugs and enjoyed a full afternoon and evening of entertainment, food and fun under the stars.

The stage featured a vibrant line-up of performers, beginning with children’s entertainment by Magical Mountains, who had young audiences singing and dancing along.

Local dance group TDA Performing Arts brought high energy and creativity to the stage, followed by the Benalla P-12 College Secondary Band and talented students from FCJ College, who impressed with their musical and vocal performances.

Intrepid and the Iain Archibald Band delivered crowd favourites spanning rock, pop and country.

Circus artist Aurora Flair wowed audiences with her mesmerising fire and LED performances, while Jetpack Entertainment lit up the lake with its spectacular water-powered stunts choreographed to music.

The night ended on a high note, with DJ Frenchy keeping the crowd dancing beneath the fireworks finale.

The celebrations concluded on Sunday with the return of A Day in the Garden Markets, where more than 130 stalls filled the Benalla Botanical Gardens with local produce, art, craft and live music and the 11th Benalla National and International Short Film Festival.

Cr King said this year’s program really captured the spirit of the festival theme Live Local, Love Local.

“The Benalla Festival is truly a celebration for the people, by the people. Every year, it brings together local talent, creativity and community pride in a way that’s uniquely Benalla,” he said.

Cr King extended his gratitude to everyone who played a role in making the festival a success.

“I’d like to thank the Benalla Festival Advisory Committee members for their passion and dedication in planning this year’s festival and acknowledge the many community groups, clubs, event organisers, performers and volunteers who helped bring this year’s program to life,” he said.

“The festival’s success shows what can happen when we all come together. Whether it was through music, art, food or celebration, our community showed once again what it means to live local and love local.”