Gala Day facts for kids
Gala Day is a special one-day festival celebrated 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's famous for its exciting street parade through central Geelong. The parade features local community groups, and you can also find fun amusement rides, a sideshow alley with games, and stalls selling showbags filled with goodies!
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The History of Gala Day
How Gala Day Started
The very first Gala Day in Geelong took place on Friday, 3 November 1916. This was during World War I. The main goal was to raise money for the Red Cross Society. People at the time called it "the biggest fete the city had ever seen." It was a huge success! The first parade raised a lot of money – 5500 pounds, which was a massive amount back then.
Becoming an Annual Event
Because the first Gala Day was so successful, it became an annual event. The second festival was held on 2 November 1917. Later, in 1927, the Geelong Hospital took over running the festival. For many years, Gala Day was held on a Friday, and students in local schools even got a holiday to enjoy the festivities!
Changes Over the Years
In 2006, the festival changed and was renamed the Gala Appeal "Family Fun Day." It also moved to the first week of December. The event started being held in Johnstone Park. Some people felt it wasn't quite the same as the older, bigger event.
Then, in 2008, the event changed again. The Gala Day Parade and Family Fun Day were moved to a Saturday. Schools, community groups, and even 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 stalls, food vendors, rides, show bags, and performances by local artists.
Gala Day During the Pandemic
In 2020 and 2021, many cities, including Geelong, held their Gala Day events virtually. This was due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This meant people could still celebrate and support good causes from home.
