In September, we lit up the community with our third annual Bendi-GLOW YouthFest event, featuring the highly anticipated Battle of the Bands line-up!

Our biggest event of the year, this year’s Bendi-Glow drew a lively crowd of over 500 attendees. All coming to celebrate youth, music, and community spirit, whilst taking the chance to enjoy different activities, support their young musical peers, and have a fun night out at an event designed by young people for young people of Greater Bendigo. 

As an attendee of this year’s Bendi-GlOW, I experienced an electric atmosphere from start to finish. It was inspiring to see so many passionate young volunteers from YO Events working diligently to set up for an occasion they had dedicated months to planning. Their enthusiasm was infectious! Throughout the event, it was also heartwarming to witness so many young people from the community getting actively involved in a variety of ways. Whether they were engaging with local service information booths, participating in thrilling activities like laser tag and outdoor games, or cheering on talented young performers on stage; the sense of camaraderie and joy was palpable. Bendi-Glow truly showcased the spirit of our community and the vibrancy of our youth!

One of the highlights of the event was the Battle of the Bands competition, where young musicians took the stage to showcase their skills. The performances were nothing short of amazing, with local bands The Unknown, Funkle, and Lost in the Past (our winners) captivating the audience and demonstrating the incredible talent within our community. As well as having some amazing performances from our supporting act Junkyard Wizards, and the awesome headlining Bendi-GLOW act Psychosybin.

In addition to the Battle of the Bands competition on stage, attendees could also learn about mental health and social connection-based services through information booths set up around the event, including the Anglicare Kit Van, YO Bendigo with our classic badge maker, BCHS, and The City of Greater Bendigo Resource and Recovery Centre. With activities like 

During the event, there were also plenty of fun activities to try such as a giant blow-up laser tag arena by The Zone, UV face painting by Scribbles Facepainting, and the Chill out zone, giant bean bags and card games space upstairs provided by YO Bendigo. Plus, for anyone after a bite, there were also delicious local food trucks to try with a variety of options to choose from, including Jas’s Indian, Taco Man, Bullwinkle Burgers, and Honeybee with their coffee Van.

During the event, there were also plenty of fun activities to try such as a giant blow-up laser tag arena by The Zone, UV face painting by Scribbles Facepainting, and the Chill out zone, giant bean bags and card games space upstairs provided by YO Bendigo. Plus, for anyone after a bite, there were also delicious local food trucks to try with a variety of options to choose from, including Jas’s Indian, Taco Man, Bullwinkle Burgers, and Honeybee with their coffee Van.

Overall, Bendi-Glow not only provided a platform for musical expression but also fostered a sense of togetherness and engagement among attendees. As we reflect on this year’s festivities, it’s clear that the spirit of youth empowerment and creativity continues to thrive in our community!

“From feedback provided to us from the team and crowd members on the day, we saw that a lot of people really enjoyed the atmosphere, the location and the acts we had on during the day. It was a great event to bring our community together and I can’t wait to see it grow.” – Zadk Rivas, Bendi-GLOW Event Manager.