Weekend of events to celebrate Spring into Summer

Culminating in the inaugural Run with the Wind Ararat – the first running event to be held inside a Victorian wind farm – the weekend will feature many events to showcase the region to the expected increase in visitors.

Ararat parkrun will kick the Spring into Summer weekend off on Saturday, November 24 from 8am at Alexandra Gardens and is sure to be the perfect warm up for Run with the Wind.

Saturday twilight from 4pm-8pm will see the Elmhurst Bush Market held, featuring food vendors, kids’ activities and a wide range of great stalls.

Cinema Pop Up will run for four nights only, from Thursday, November 22 to Sunday, November 25 and will cater for all, featuring some favourite family movies.

Cinema Pop Up is offering Ararat residents the opportunity to vote on their favourite movies to watch from September 1. Simply visit the Facebook event page – Pop Up Cinema Ararat – or follow the link on Ararat Rural City Council’s page to cast your vote.

The pop-up roadshow will feature frozen drinks, food vendors, popcorn and a bar and best of all – entry is free if tickets are booked online.

Ararat Rural City Council Mayor, Cr Gwenda Allgood said she was delighted to have the event returned to Elizabeth Park, Ararat after it was unfortunately cancelled in 2017 due to inclement weather.

“Cinema Pop Up will be in Ararat on the same weekend we have the Run with the Wind festival taking place, along with many other wonderful events over that last weekend in November – which will be great for the town,” Cr Allgood said.

“Cinema Pop Up encourages families to come along early, get a good spot, and set up with blankets and cushions for a picnic before the movie kicks off.”

Patrons can bring in food, however no drinks will be allowed through the gates.

Supported by the Transport Accident Commission (TAC), Stawell Toyota and Prime Super, tickets are available for purchase at the gate from only $10 for adults and $5 for children, however, if you book online, entry is free. Tickets will be available for booking from October 1 at CinemaPopUp.com.au.

Early entries for the Run with the Wind Ararat event on Sunday, November 25 have been very promising, with many people keen to take on the unique course.

Run with the Wind will offer Half Marathon, 10km and 5km distances, with options suitable for all ages and abilities. All runs will feature breathtaking close-up views of the giant wind turbines, along with the stunning Ararat countryside.

Cr Allgood said she is very much looking forward to the event.

“We are thrilled to be hosting the first ever running festival held inside a Victorian Wind Farm,” she said.

“This is going to be a very unique event, one that will attract a lot of outside visitors to our region, but also one that I’m sure our wonderful community is going to get behind.”

Entries are now open, head to www.runwiththewindararat.com.au for all the information.