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Visit Victoria is supporting multiple events in regional Victoria over the June long weekend, giving a snapshot of the variety of events offered in regional Victoria year-round.

The Victorian Government’s Regional Events Fund, through Visit Victoria, is supporting these three unique events that show off regional Victoria’s creative flair and natural beauty. 

Visit Victoria Chief Executive Peter Bingeman advised “Visit Victoria is proud to work with regional event organisers and community groups to attract sought-after international and domestic events, establish new events and help events grow.

“Top quality, authentic events attract visitors in their thousands to regional towns, which is not only good for community spirit, it provides a huge boost for local restaurants, pubs, cafes, shops and accommodation providers.

“Events over the long weekend give people even more incentive to stay for longer while they enjoy the event festivities, local attractions and natural scenery on offer in Victoria’s regions.

“Supporting a diverse range of regional events is part of our strategy to grow the state’s visitor economy to $36.5 billion by 2025, which we are well on track to achieve.”  

Nestled between the Bellarine Peninsula’s renowned vineyards and the famous mussel farms of Corio Bay, the normally quiet bayside village of Portarlington comes to life with the music, laughter and passion of the Celtic spirit for the National Celtic Folk Festival.

The festival runs from today (Friday 7th June) until Monday10th June with a diverse range of art forms and interpretations of Celtic and folk culture within the Australian setting.

The Woodend Winter Arts Festival showcases the very best of Australian and international classical music as well as a lively literary are visual arts program. 

With a range of concerts, literary, community events and salons, this year's festival will have something for all ages and interests. Free exhibitions and the opening night fireworks are enjoyed by the entire community and provide a fantastic way to support local community organisations. 

In the King Valley, a cluster of hot air balloons will dance over the vineyards each morning of the long weekend as part of the King Valley Balloon Festival.

Visitors can take in the spectacle in the mist of the early morning while warming up with coffee and a barbecue breakfast run by local schools. This year's festival features the impressive Van Gogh balloon, flown in from the Netherlands.

On Saturday evening, the festival balloons light up in time with music for Brown Brothers Night Glow featuring Brown Brothers wine, local cider and craft beer, catering by the Country Women's Association, food trucks and local producers.

On Sunday afternoon local wineries host balloon displays, where balloon fans young and old can watch the balloons inflate, meet the pilots and hop into the basket. 

The Regional Events Fund is awarded in rounds and is currently open for applications. 

For more information, go to corporate.visitvictoria.com/events/regional-events/regional-event-fund

Image top of King Valley Balloon Festival.

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