THE Wimmera will be a hive of activity throughout the Easter break.
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Apart from the annual Stawell Gift, Y-Fest at Warracknabeal from tomorrow to Monday will be one of the region's biggest celebrations.
Event chairman Lance Huebner said the program was action-packed.
Warracknabeal Golf Course will host events from tomorrow until Monday.
Warracknabeal Ski Club members will exhibit their skills on Yarriambiack Creek from 1pm until 4pm tomorrow.
A four-day art show opens at 5.30pm tomorrow at Yarriambiack Shire Council's Warracknabeal offices.
The art show will feature Warracknabeal artist Kylie Fowler's work.
She will speak at tomorrow's opening.
The town's racecourse will host Warracknabeal Racing Club's Easter meet on Saturday. Highlights include an Easter egg hunt.
A busking competition begins at 9am on Saturday. For the first time, it will incorporate a performing arts division.
Mr Huebner said he expected about 3000 people to line Scott Street for Saturday's Y-Fest Easter Parade, starting at 11am.
Warracknabeal Aero Club will perform a fly-over.
Buskers in the Park will follow the parade, at the Lions Park at the north end of Scott Street. Musicians and performing artists will take the stage until nightfall.
The 47th annual Vintage Machinery Rally also starts on Saturday.
Continuing until Monday, the three-day activity highlights Wheatlands Warracknabeal Agricultural Machinery Museum's collection of vintage equipment.
A vintage tractor pull and vintage tractor race will be on Saturday night.
An annual fishing competition on Yarriambiack Creek is on Easter Sunday. Registrations open at the boat ramp at 7am.
Another Easter event in the Wimmera is the Wartook Easter Market.
Wander Inn owner Jenny Wilson said the community's traditional Easter Saturday market would be special because of the district's bushfire in January.
"We've done it for years, but this one's just a bit special because of what's happened," she said.
The property took a direct hit during the Grampians fire.
"Life goes on, we're still having the market," Ms Wilson said.
"Stall-holding is free, and everybody is welcome."
Weekend events
Friday. Registrations open 10am for an 11am start. Cost: Gold coin donation. Horsham City Oval.
Natimuk Farmers Market Plus
Sunday, 10am to 1.30pm. Featuring two free workshops about seed-saving edible herbs and vegetables, starting 11.30am and 1pm at Natimuk Community Centre, adjacent to the farmers market.
Balmoral Easter Market
Saturday, from 9am until 1pm. Glendinning Street, Balmoral.
Grampians Arts Trail
Friday to Monday, 10am to 4pm daily. Various venues throughout Northern Grampians Shire. Look out for orange banners. Programs available from Stawell, St Arnaud and Halls Gap visitor information centres.
Lions-Apex Stawell Easter Carnival
Thursday to Monday. From 6pm until late, from today until Sunday; Monday from 11am. Cato Park, Victoria Street.
Stawell Golf Club
Friday, open day. Registration from 12.15pm until 12.45pm, for a 1pm start.
Saturday: Ladies and men's stroke competition. Hit-off from noon to 12.30pm.
Easter Monday: Guests welcome and ladies and men's stableford competition.
Registration from 11.30am until noon. Darlington Road, Stawell.
Yachting Western Victoria 53rd Easter Regatta
Friday to Monday. Races at 1pm tomorrow; Saturday and Sunday, 10.30am and 2pm; Monday, 11.30am. Lake Bolac.
Deep Lead Easter Art and Craft Exhibition
Friday to Monday, 10am to 5pm. Admission: $5. Old Deep Lead School, Western Highway.
Great Western Rodeo
Friday. Gates open 10am, rodeo from noon onwards. Admission: At gates. Great Western Racecourse.
Shakespeare Spectacular
'Hamlet' presented by Ozact. From Friday to Sunday. Daily from 4pm to 6pm. Brambuk Cultural Centre, Halls Gap. Tickets: Book at www.ozact.com or call 0419 330 516.
Stawell Gift Calcutta
Betting on the Stawell Gift starts tomorrow at Stawell Entertainment Centre. Doors open 6pm. Admission: $5. Stawell Town Hall.
Jeparit Anglers Club Annual Fishing Competition
Saturday, 7.30am to 3.30pm. Registrations at Jeparit football oval: Friday, 2pm to 9pm; Saturday, 6.30am onwards. Cost: Seniors $30, under-16s $20.
Grampians Toy Club Easter Car and Bike Display
Saturday, 8am to 4pm. Stawell Town Hall carpark.
Stawell Main Street Sensation
Saturday. Main Street closed from 8am until 1pm. Featuring live music and children's activities.
Stawell SES Market
Saturday, 9am to 3pm. SES Drill Hall, Stawell.
Moyston Easter Market
Saturday, 9am to 1pm. Moyston Recreation Reserve.
Stawell Gift
Saturday to Monday. Central Park, Stawell. Weekend pass: Adults $50, families $95.
Saturday Ladies Day - Gates open 9am. Featuring fashions on the field and children's activities. Saturday admission: Adults $20, concession $15, child $7, family $45.
Sunday Family Day - Gates open 9am. Featuring a children's athletics clinic. Sunday admission: Adults $15, concession $10, child $5.
Monday Finals Day - Gates open 9am; first race at 11am. Featuring final of 133rd Stawell Gift. Monday admission: Adults $25, concession $15, child $7, family $60.
Livefast Lifestyle Cafe Performances
Saturday and Sunday. Dinner from 6pm both nights, performances from 7.30pm.
Featuring Matt Katsis and Tash Sultana. Free entry. Livefast Lifestyle Cafe, Stony Creek Stores, Grampians Road, Halls Gap.
Lindsay Kent Memorial 5km or 3km Walk or Run
Sunday. Registrations open 8.30am for a 9am start. Stawell Racecourse carpark.
Entry: Adults $10, under-14 $4.
Pomonal Village Market
Sunday, from 10am.
Halls Gap Primary School Market
Sunday, from 9am. Featuring food, home-made and home-grown produce, clothes, art and craft. Halls Gap School.
Stawell Racecourse Easter Sunday Family Fun Day and Phantom Raceday
Sunday, from 11am. Featuring family activities, live entertainment, fashions on the field and a visit from the Easter Bunny. Free admission.
Donald and District Racing Club meet
Sunday, first race 12.35pm. Donald Racecourse.