THE Golden Gateway Festival concluded Sunday with its annual parade which contained over 30 colourful and inventive floats.
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Community groups and businesses took part with floats that proceeded from Edith Cavell Reserve to the Russell T. White Showgrounds where the Ararat Agricultural Show was taking place.
Some of the groups represented in the parade were the Country Fire Authority, Ararat West Primary School, Ararat Juniors Fire Brigade, Ararat Musical Comedy Society and the Filipino Australian Community of Ararat.
The parade concluded a week of festivities marking the Golden Gateway Festival’s 60th year running, and festival queen Brooke Nicholson described the nine days of events as jam packed.
“You hear a lot about what is happening in Ararat but you never experience it, so (to) see a lot of volunteers and things happening is good,” Ms Nicholson said.
Committee president Murray Woods and vice-president Melissa Perry said interest for the 2019 festival was already gathering.
“Community groups are getting behind it … we’ve secured more entertainment for next year,” Ms Perry said.
She added that the morning’s entertainment before the parade was also “brilliantly received.”
Mr Woods said the parade was a hit with “more tacking on to the end” of it at the last minute.