Bendigo dragon, lions on show to launch new mascot for popular festival

A beloved character has been unveiled as the new mascot for Bendigo’s 2023 Easter festival. Find out who it is.

Bendigo’s famous dragon is the new mascot for the 2023 Easter Festival.

The vibrant and happy dragon has been illustrated dancing his way around the lettering on the new logo, to celebrate the 151st year of the event.

One of the Bendigo lions was on hand to help launch the logo, outside the Golden Dragon Museum, on Thursday morning.

A member of the festival’s planning committee, Bendigo councillor Rod Fyffe, said the new branding celebrated the festival in a contemporary way.

“It captures the spirit of a 21st century community festival and its reputation as a fun and welcoming event that is proudly steeped in history and tradition,” he said.

It was estimated that 88,000 people turned out for the Easter festival in 2022, even though the event’s final day was rained out.

The famous parade headed by the dragons could not be held due to the downpour, disappointing many Bendigo residents who had camped out overnight along the parade route to get the best vantage spots.

Cr Fyffe said it was only the second time in 150 years that the parade had not been held.

“It was still an amazing three days with great weather before the Monday,” he said.

“We are planning for 2023 and we are really expecting a great festival. This is a home grown event and it’s held particularly close to the heart of the community.”

The presence of the Bendigo lion at the launch of the Easter Festival logo was the second time in just days that it has been seen on Bendigo streets, following the Harvest Moon Festival on Saturday, September 10.

Two dragons joined the two lions to dance and play under colourful paper lanterns outside the museum on Saturday evening.