Marking the first day of the school holidays, Children’s Day will begin with a welcome performance based on the Crow Dreaming story of the Jaara Jaara people. Performed by local Indigenous students who have contributed to its development, and other local children who have learnt the dance as part of the Festival’s Schools Program.

Building on the Castlemaine Festival’s historic tradition of a children’s parade, the Children’s Day Parade will kick off featuring the Migration Marching Band; a foot-stomping, street orchestra of the musicians and children who have developed their instruments and pieces during the previous week. Playing their instruments, wearing costumes and carrying the puppets they have made, children and adults will take part in this unique Victory Park event, created by them for the enjoyment of all of us.

Everyone involved in the Parade is to meet at the Victory Park marquee at 11.00am on Saturday 9 April. All welcome.

Then stick around for the Festival Picnic and help make Castlemaine’s biggest ever picnic rug. Enjoy your BYO picnic lunch or some of the delicious food available in the park. There will be short performances, roving characters and lots of other surprises planned for the afternoon.

There will be space to store your picnic rug and food on the day if you and your family are involved in the parade! The Picnic will begin at approx. 12.30pm.