Hundreds of performers from across Victoria and beyond are competing in the annual Ararat Eisteddfod this week, in a range of ballet and theatrical genres.

Eisteddfod co-ordinator Karly Harris said the nine-day event’s opening weekend was ‘massive’.

“We had about 124 troupes perform across the weekend, as well as senior theatrical solos in the jazz and tap championships for the seniors,” she said.

“The crowds were full for the whole weekend, we had about 1000 dancers in the troupes from under 10, under 13, under 17 and open sections.

“We started at nine o’clock in the morning on Sunday and finished at about 10 o’clock at night – a huge day.”

The eisteddfod sees entrants compete in solos, duos, trios or as part of a troupe, and provides a platform where all dance students can showcase their abilities, and are critiqued by a professional adjudicator.

A new section was introduced this year – ‘all abilities’ – for individual dancers who are enrolled or registered in either a supported community, supported education program or registered with NDIS. 

The section attracted two entrants, who achieved a result of equal first.

Ms Harris said the event had not been  staged regularly in recent years, but was now attracting the same entries as it did pre-COVID. 

“We had a couple of mini competitions during COVID, and didn’t have an eisteddfod when the town hall had its renovations, so this year’s is our 67th.”

Starting in 1955, the event has always been run by volunteers.

“A lot of new volunteers have come in to help us this year, which has been really, really good,” Ms Harris said.

People are welcome to attend the event, tickets for each session are available at the door, and are $5 for people aged over 18, with free entry for under-18s. More information is available at https://ararattownhall.com.au/event/ararat-eisteddfod. 

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