The Bendigo Easter Festival was once again an exciting, colourful event.
The festival, established in 1870, is the oldest such community festival in Australia. This year’s famous Easter parade came alive with marching bands, groups from diverse cultures in costumes, dancers, fire engines, and more, parade through town to the delight of the crowds.
And what would the Bendigo Easter Parade be without Sun Loong, the revered dragon who comes out each year to help celebrate the region’s Chinese heritage?
“Sun Loong is about to retire as he is getting worn out, and there is an appeal to fund his replacement,” Bendigo resident and GoRV contributor Marg Gow said.
“One hundred and twenty people are need to carry him so they swap in and out to carry the load.
“There are numerous supporting dragons, lions and people drumming loudly and setting of fire crackers to scare away the ‘baddies’.”
