Annual festival success

ORGANISERS of this year’s Deans Marsh Festival are celebrating a successful event with a record number of attendees.

Slightly wet weather wasn’t enough to keep people away from the March 30 event, which included market stalls, old-fashioned competitions, vintage tractors and cars, pony rides and more.

Event organiser Caroline Shelbourne said it was a really great day and they estimated about 1,800 people were in attendance.

“It was a brilliant day, we had our biggest crowd yet and all our community groups have reported raising the most funds they’ve raised in a while,” she said.

 

“We thought the weather might hold people away but it didn’t, it was overcast and a little bit drizzly, but that seemed to be perfect conditions for people staying up in the hinterland.

“We had the Freeza Youth bands from Torquay Secondary school and Lorne secondary, they were both amazing and they really added a great atmosphere to the day.”

There was lots going on across the Deans Marsh Memorial Reserve with pony rides and a reptile display also among the events highlights.

Attendees also had the opportunity to tap into their competitive sides with the Deans Marsh Gift, bird calling competition, sheaf toss, gumboot toss and dog jump.

 

“The gumboot toss was really popular and the gift, they were big crowd pullers and everyone hung around for that which was great,” Ms Shelbourne said.

Funds raised from the event went towards supporting the Deans Marsh CFA and Cottage by the Sea.

Ms Shelbourne thanked the sponsors of the event and the community for showing their support.