Crowds gather to hear the Dragons roar

Bendigo this week celebrated its annual Easter Festival with its traditional parade and awakening of Sun Loong the Imperial Dragon. The festival, which has run every year since 1871, is a cherished part of Bendigos storied history.  Originally formed as a fund raising event to raise money for the Sandhurst Benevolent Asylum and Hospital the event has gone on to become a major event and tourist attraction for Bendigo.

Beginning with a parade of floats from various community groups, schools, emergency services and businesses, the parade then celebrates Bendigos Chinese heritage with a large procession of traditional showings such as the Lion and Dragon dances performed by cultural groups from Bendigo and Melbourne before culminating in the awakening of Sun Loong the Imperial Dragon.

Sun Loong is the largest Imperial Dragon in the world. During most of the year he sleeps at Bendigos Golden Dragon Museum but at the festival he is awakened by the detonation of tens of thousands of firecrackers and a performance by the famous Southern Lions consisting of clashing cymbals and the beating of drums. Carried along by volunteers Sun Loong proceeds through the streets and delights and amazes onlookers. The awakening of Sun Loong is a unique to Bendigo and showcases the diverse and rich history of the former mining hotspot.

Bendigos Easter Festival operates for 3 days over the Easter weekend. More information can be found at The Bendigo Easter Festival website