Gala Day is a one day festival held in many towns over the world, especially Scotland

Scotland

Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...

. One of the biggest is held in the city of Geelong

Geelong, Victoria

Geelong is a port city located on Corio Bay and the Barwon River, in the state of Victoria, Australia, south-west of the state capital; Melbourne. It is the second most populated city in Victoria and the fifth most populated non-capital city in Australia...

, Victoria

Victoria (Australia)

Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....

, Australia

Australia

Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...

. The festival raises money for the Geelong Hospital

Geelong Hospital

The Geelong Hospital is an Australian public hospital located in Ryrie Street, Geelong, Victoria. The hospital is part of Barwon Health, Victoria's largest regional health care provider, which has 21 sites. It is the largest hospital in regional Victoria and the only tertiary hospital outside of...

, and was known for the street parade

Parade

A parade is a procession of people, usually organized along a street, often in costume, and often accompanied by marching bands, floats or sometimes large balloons. Parades are held for a wide range of reasons, but are usually celebrations of some kind...

 though Central Geelong

Geelong city centre, Victoria

The Geelong city centre is a locality surrounded by suburban Geelong. It is the oldest part of Geelong and includes many of the city's important landmarks such as the Geelong Town Hall, St...

 by local community groups, amusement ride

Amusement ride

Amusement rides are large mechanical devices that move people to create enjoyment. They are frequently found at amusement parks, traveling carnivals, and funfairs.-Notable types:*Afterburner*Ali Baba*Balloon Race*Booster...

s in the main street, a sideshow alley

Sideshow alley

A sideshow alley is an Australian term for the cluster of attractions that may accompany public events such as agricultural shows. It is similar to the American term 'midway'...

, and showbag

Showbag

The showbag is a themed bag of commercial merchandise, and a distinctive feature of Australian shows...

 stalls.

History

The first Gala Day was held on November 3, 1916, to raise money for the Red Cross Society

Australian Red Cross

The Australian Red Cross is one of the many national Red Cross societies around the world. The Australian organisation was established in 1914, nine days after the commencement of World War I, by Karen Tenenbaum, when she formed a branch of the British Red Cross.the organisation grew at a rapid rate...

 at the height of World War I

World War I

World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...

. Described by the Geelong Advertiser as “the biggest fete the city had ever seen, the most perfectly planned function, they gayest spectacle, and the highest in patriotic purpose”, the first parade raised 5500 pounds - a staggering amount for the day.

After the success of the first festival, Gala Day was adopted as an annual event, the second festival being held on November 2, 1917. It was not until 1927 that the Geelong Hospital took over responsibility for running the festival. The festival has been traditionally held on a Friday weekday, students at local schools are often given the day off. Some schools missed out, receiving the Friday of the Royal Geelong Show off instead, while others received both days off in November.

As of 2006 the festival was changed, being renamed the Gala Appeal "Family Fun Day" and moved to the first week of December. The festival is now held in Johnstone Park

Johnstone Park, Geelong

Johnstone Park is a landscaped garden in Geelong, Victoria, Australia. It is bounded by Railway Terrace, Gheringhap Street, Little Malop Street, Fenwick Street, and Mercer Street. The park is surrounded by civic buildings including the Geelong Town Hall, Geelong Art Gallery, Geelong Library,...

, and has been accused of being "watered down" from the old event by some.

In 2008 the event was again changed, with the Gala Day Parade and Family Fun Day moved to a Saturday. Schools, community groups and corporate groups can enter a float in the parade. The Family Fun Day return to the city’s spectacular waterfront at Steampacket Gardens, featuring market and food stalls, rides, show bags and roving performers.