Yesterday, an array of grants was announced at Camp Hill Primary School, to help the gala parade live up to its artistic pedigree.

Worth $7000, the grants were made through the Violee Myers-Davey Artist in Resident program - funded by the City of Greater Bendigo and the Bendigo Easter Fair Society.

Sixteen local groups have received grants through the program to develop their parade entries.

Festival committee chairman Cr Rod Fyffe said by providing grants he expected to see some fantastic entries in the parade.

April’s parade theme is “Past, Present and Future”.

“All of the grant recipients will also have access to advice from local artist Anton Hassell, so the entries should be very creative and interesting,” he said.

“The gala parade is a wonderful way for local community groups to participate in one of the city’s iconic annual events and the grants are part of a commitment to continue to grow and improve the annual Bendigo Easter Festival gala parade.”

Grants went to Central Victoria Fire Service Preservation Society, Discovery Science & Technology Centre , CreateAbility, Bendigo Agricultural Show Society, St Luke’s Anglicare Smart Art, Central Deborah Gold Mine, Bendigo Tramways, Loddon Campaspe Multicultural Services, East African Community of Castlemaine, Lead On, Bendigo Senior Secondary College, Huntly, Redesdale/Mia Mia and Camp Hill primary schools, Bendigo Historical Society, and the Lockwood Primary School.