Spring Luncheon 12 - 3pm

Enjoy a delicious lunch in Benalla's premier art space, the Ledger Gallery, with guest speaker Cate Kennedy; local hero, award winning author and riveting speaker.

2012 celebrates the 20th anniversary of The Friends of the Benalla Art Gallery being formed, so the occasion certainly will be special. $60 per person. Bookings essential. Contact the Benalla Art Gallery on 03 5760 2619. Hosted by the Friends of the Benalla Art Gallery

 

Mair St Mural Party - Commencing at 6.30pm

Ceramic Mural Environs and Mair Street FREE entertainment - food and wine can be purchased from food stalls adjacent in Mair Street. Event Details Friday evening will see Mair Street and the Benalla Ceramic Mural precinct come to life in the style of New Orleans.

Live music will be provided by blues band Sly Dog and the Howlers in an outdoor restaurant atmosphere (tables and chairs provided). A number of food and wine stalls on Mair Street will showcase the best of Benalla's food and wine -including Hook and Spoon's gourmet food stall, Goorambath Winery, a Jumping Castle and a fireworks finale (sponsored by Ryan&McNulty Sawmillers) makes this an event for the whole family! Come along and enjoy the carnival atmosphere!

 

Robyn Hughan 6.00pm - 7.00pm BPACC

Samaria St, Benalla

A character preview of Robyn Hughan's latest Documentary "A Journey to Nowhere" followed by an opportunity to for Questions and Answers. Robyn has worked closely with stories of refugees over the past decade and is a passionate refugee advocate.

In 2009/2010, she independently completed her own film, A Nun's New Habit, which gives a personal insight into a Nun who advocates for refugees placed in detention after their arrival in Australia. This film broadcast in the USA on Link TV and won several awards at festivals internationally.

Street Parade - 12.30pm

Parade will be travelling east from Benalla Gardens to Carrier Street continuing around Fawckner Drive Event Details Come and join in the fun and celebration that is the Benalla Festival Street Parade. After much community participation, this year's parade will celebrate the theme "Local Heroes". Come along and celebrate and support our "Local Heroes" and all those participating in the 2012 Benalla Festival Street Parade.

 

Free Film BPACC 2pm

Casablanca (1943) BPACC of time. Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman. 8 Academy Award nominations. Three Oscars. Casablanca is a great romance, a stirring wartime adventure, a suspenseful action movie, and in the end, a terrific buddy movie. It's listed again and again on the top ten lists of critics and fans alike. Don't miss it on the big screen. "Play it again, Sam". The line doesn't actually exist in the film - though most think it does. Regardless, Casablanca is a film that can be played again, and again and again. Sometimes it all just comes together - the story, the cast, the dialog, the direction - and you get a movie that stands the test.

 

Skate Park Official Opening - 2pm

Opening of the new skate park. Please join us as we officially celebrate the completion of the Benalla Skate Park upgrade. Benalla Skate Park - "Come and Ride Day" Bring your skateboards, scooters or your BMX and visit our new Skate Park for a "Come and Ride" day where local riders and Pro Scooter and BMX locals will entertain the crowds. Riders of any age are welcome to come down and try out our fabulous new facility, and gain some valuable tips from our professional riders.

 

"Show us Your Ink" Tattoo Competition - 2.30pm - 5.00pm

Drill Hall, Bridge Street, Benalla Come and compete or vote for your favourite tattoo in 6 categories in both Men and Women sections. Best Back. Best Chest, Best Arm, Best Leg, Best Portrait and Best Tribal Competitors will need to register by the 2nd November 2012 with an entry fee of $5 for each category. The winners will be chosen by the public and receive cash prizes and trophy. Admission $5. Download your entry form here.

 

The Rose City Rock 'n' Roll Club - 2pm to 3.45pm

Free Demonstrations at Foreshore

 

Foreshore Family Fun - 2pm - 7pm

FREE to attend

 

Music at the Gallery - 2.30pm to 4.30pm

Benalla Art Gallery.
Wangaratta Strings A group of about 20 students regulars at the Art Gallery's Prom Concerts over the past few years- playing to great acclaim! 3.45pm Zoe Knighton Renowned Melbourne cellist Zoe Knighton will play two of Bach's legendary cello suites, music that makes one instrument sound like four are playing! TICKETS $25, $20 concession, (includes refreshments after the concert). FULL TIME STUDENTS AND CHILDREN FREE.

 

GRADA Performance - A Midsummer Night's Dream - 4.00pm

BPACC, Samaria Road, Benalla GRADA's acting students will perform two short scenes from their upcoming production of William Shakespeare's A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM in this year's Benalla Festival. Tickets for A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM" can be purchased at BPACC. Please call 5760 4529.

 

Benalla Garden Club Inc Book Launch - 6pm

Benalla Art Gallery Saturday

Benalla Garden Club Presents Renowned Australian Garden Designer and Author Dr Holly Kerr-Forsyth At a book launch which will be officiated by columnist Prue Smith at the Benalla Art Gallery, 6pm Saturday November 10th. Entry is by gold coin donation. Registrations necessary (catering purposes) Contact Heather 57625569.

 

The Colours of Summer, an Exhibition by Kelly Bolte

Saturday 5 - 30 November

Benalla Performing Arts and Convention Centre Dripping icy poles, sweet watermelon, fairy floss dissolving on your tongue, swimming with friends at the local pool on a blistering hot day. Bright colours, sunscreen, driving with the windows down and the music up. Hot air blowing back your hair, camping by the river, walking barefoot and hazy nights sipping cocktails. This is summer.

 

Guitar Club Concert

Saturday 10 November 5pm
Sunday 11 November 2pm CWA Hall Bridge St,

Benalla Come along and see Benalla's home grown guitar talent! Contact: Kyohei Fujiie bgc4u@hotmail.com

 

Fireworks Festival Party from 4pm until 10.30pm

Benalla Lakeside Foreshore FREE to attend

 

The Rose City Rock 'n' Roll Club Dance at St Joseph's Hall

8pm - 12pm Cost $18

Free Demonstrations at Foreshore

 

Shannon Noll in Concert - 8pm to 9pm

Benalla Lakeside Foreshore FREE to attend

 

Beautiful Benalla Open Gardens

Be inspired, enjoy the scenery and marvel at the creations in four of Benalla's most beautiful gardens at 51 Murrays Road, 20 Hagaenaeur's Lane, "Rowilla" 39 Grant Drive and "Millendon" 764 Baddaginnie Road. Entry is by gold coin donation.

 

Guided tours of the Benalla Botanical Gardens 10am - 4pm

Benalla Botanical Gardens Friends of the Benalla Botanical Gardens and Riverine Parkland Inc Smell the roses with the experts. Guided walking tours of the Benalla Botanical Gardens will and the key to their longevity. Participation is by gold coin

A Day in the Gardens 9am - 3pm

Benalla Botanical Gardens FREE to attend

 

Ned Kelly iron person competition 9am - 3pm

Benalla Aquatic Centre Entry $5

 

The Rose City Rock 'n' Roll Club 10am to 2pm

Free Demonstrations Benalla Gardens

 

On behalf of Benalla Rural City Council and the Benalla Festival Advisory Committee, welcome you to the 2012 Benalla Festival.

The focus of this year's festival is a celebration of "Local Heroes", a tribute to those who in many different ways contribute to our community. These people are rarely singled out for their achievements, but this weekend we celebrate their dedication, attitude and community involvement.

This year the Festival Advisory Committee has gone all out to build on the success of last year's event with an array of mostly free entertainment on offer.

Once again Mair Street, Benalla will be closed to traffic on Friday 9 November 2012 for the Mair Street Mural Party which will feature food and wine stalls, a great blues band plus a fireworks finale.

The iconic Street Parade on Saturday promises to have more sound, colour and fun with participation from a wide cross section of our community.

Saturday afternoon will see our wonderful lake foreshore come to life with a full array of family entertainment, including canoes, rafts, climbing wall, bungee trampoline and bungee run. A wonderful line up of bands playing a variety of music will also be a feature along with food stalls and much more.

To the delight of local young people, the $350,000 Benalla Skate Park Redevelopment Project will be officially opened on Saturday 10 November 2012 at 2pm and will feature a "Come and Ride" day where local riders and Pro Scooter and BMX locals will entertain the crowds. All ages are welcome to come down and get some great tips from our professional riders.

A special appearance by Shannon Noll will be a highlight of the lead up to the spectacular fireworks display on Saturday night. After the fireworks, the music will continue- so please go and soak up the atmosphere.

On Sunday 'A Day in the Gardens' presents a kaleidoscope of market stalls, music and Kid's Day events such as the always popular Teddy Bears Picnic.

So come along and bring the family and join in the many celebrations taking place over the festival weekend - let's all celebrate Benalla and our local heroes.

I hope to see you out and about.
Tony McIlroy
Chief Executive Officer
Benalla Rural City Council

• Hero Nomination Form
• Show Us Your Ink Entry Form
• Street Parade Form