Fest hot through the cold weather

THE Bendigo Easter Festival has come and gone again for another year with the poor weather not deterring a strong number of people enjoying the festivities.

City of Greater Bendigo manager of tourism Terry Karamaloudis said he was satisfied with how the event unfolded.

“From the city’s perspective… we were really pleased with numbers and the weekend,” he said.

“Especially given we went through the coldest Easter in 60 years according to the Weather Bureau.

“I really have to say that the people who came along need to be commended because, particularly on Friday, the weather conditions were a bit challenging.”

Despite the trials provided by the inclement weather, no events had to be shut down.

“It was amazing how everything still happened successfully,” he said.

“The rotary market was busy, the Vision Australia Easter Egg hunt still got away. A hundred thousand eggs were gathered up out there.

“Our entertainment program ran to schedule. Kaleidoscope was busy and people were happy to stay in the precinct, even though it was cold and wet on occasion, which was really pleasing.”

Though tickets aren’t sold for the weekend, Mr Karamaloudis believed numbers were very strong proving a boon for local business.

“We think we had in excess of 50,000 people in the precinct across the three days of the event,” he said. “It’s not ticketed, you don’t go through a turn style so that’s an estimate.

“But we were delighted to see that people stayed at the event and supported the event.

“I spent a lot of time outside the precinct talking to traders that were open and it’s really pleasing to report that the businesses that did open, reported really strong trade.”

The success of the weekend is also owed to local community helpers.

“I would also like to mention the volunteers, this event doesn’t go ahead and doesn’t succeed without the volunteers every year,” Mr Karamaloudis said.