Gala Day facts for kids
Gala Day is a special one-day festival held in many towns around the world. It's a fun event that often helps raise money for important causes. One of the biggest Gala Day celebrations happens in the city of Geelong, Victoria, Australia. This festival helps raise money for the Geelong Hospital. It used to be famous for its big street parade through central Geelong. The parade featured local groups, amusement rides, and stalls selling fun items called showbags.
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The Story of Gala Day
How It All Began
The very first Gala Day in Geelong took place on Friday, November 3, 1916. This was during World War I, a very important time in history. The main goal was to raise money for the Red Cross Society. The local newspaper, the Geelong Advertiser, said it was the biggest and best festival the city had ever seen. It was planned perfectly and had a strong patriotic purpose. That first parade raised an amazing 5,500 pounds, which was a huge amount of money back then!
Growing Over the Years
Because the first festival was so successful, Gala Day became an annual event. The second festival happened on November 2, 1917. It wasn't until 1927 that the Geelong Hospital took over running the festival. Gala Day was traditionally held on a Friday. Students at local schools even got a holiday to enjoy the celebrations!
Changes and New Traditions
In 2006, the festival changed its name to the Gala Appeal "Family Fun Day." It also moved to the first week of December. The event started taking place in Johnstone Park. Some people felt it was different from the older, bigger events.
In 2008, the event changed again. The Gala Day Parade and Family Fun Day moved to a Saturday. Schools, community groups, and businesses could enter a float in the parade. The Family Fun Day returned to the city's beautiful waterfront at Steampacket Gardens. It featured market and food stalls, rides, show bags, and performances. Local artists, like the dance duo Barnes and Tommy, entertained the crowds.
Virtual Celebrations
During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, many cities held their Gala Day events online. Geelong also moved its celebrations to a virtual format during those years. This allowed people to still enjoy the spirit of Gala Day safely from home.
