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Photo opportunity Who: Ballarat Mayor Samantha McIntosh and artists Travis Price, Ben Sanders and Carolien Keys What: Launch of the 2018 Christmas in Ballarat campaign, including the Balla Rat’s Star art trail Where: Queen Victoria Square, directly opposite Ballarat Town Hall When: Today 10am, Tuesday 27 November Ballarat’s CBD has transformed into a life-sized Christmas-themed art hunt. Following the highly-successful Christmas art walk last year, the City of Ballarat has joined forces with local artists to create a new experience for residents and visitors. Artists Travis Price, Ben Sanders and Caroline Keys have come together to bring to life a uniquely Ballarat story through temporary public art. This new art trail will focus on the adventures of two friendly rats, Balla and Pete, who are on a journey to find the perfect star to adorn their Christmas tree. This year’s art trail has been designed to encourage visitation to the CBD and retail precincts and to reflect the creative direction of the city, while sending followers on a unique Ballarat journey they won’t find anywhere else. Ballarat Mayor Samantha McIntosh said the growing Christmas campaign sets out to activate and encourage visitation and spend in the CBD over the festive season. “Guided by our heritage look and feel and inspired by floral design, we set out every year to activate the CBD and promote Christmas in Ballarat throughout regional Victoria to encourage more economic spend in our city and to ensure Ballarat is the destination of choice for visitors during this time of the year,” she said. “The spirit of Christmas in Ballarat has morphed over the years into a celebration of our city's creatives who are constantly challenging traditions to create something that is uniquely Ballarat. “We place a high priority on the growing success of our creative industry sectors, and supporting this creative growth is a key focus of the Creative City Strategy – the direction we’re taking with Christmas is one of a bigger vision to plan for an inspiring creative future for Ballarat.” Cr McIntosh added: “This year’s interactive Christmas decorations play an important role in establishing Ballarat as a Creative City.” The popular floral and topiary Christmas decorations, including the return of a crowd favourite – Rudolph and Santa’s reindeers – will transform Sturt Street. And in true Christmas spirit, the Sturt Street Christmas tree, giant baubles and ribbon, Christmas-themed flags, giant illuminated star, planter boxes and garden beds have also been brought out of storage. A giant Santa will also appear outside Parent Place and the giant Christmas present diorama has also returned. Residents and visitors are encouraged to use the hashtag #Christmasinballarat when posting images of the Christmas decorations and artwork to social media.