THE Great Southern Blues Festival at Narooma wrapped up on Sunday evening after three nights and two days of great music and good times.
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Narooma by all reports was busy as the blues crowds boosted long weekend visitor numbers enjoying sunny weather on the Far South Coast.
Festival founder and organiser Neil Mumme said the event had run smoothly without any problems with patrons and musicians alike having a good time.
Numbers were however down around 18 per cent according to ticket sales.
“As long as the politicians in this country keep talking our economy and personal safety down, our wonderful lifestyle will be affected,” Neil Mumme said.
“Everybody I spoke to had money, they’re just not doing anything.”
In the lead up to the festival, he said uncertainty and fear particularly in Canberra had an impact on ticket sales and would also impact on the South Coast’s tourism-reliant economy.
The festival however was plenty busy for the catering crew from Michael’s at Dalmeny who again this year anchored the Ferny’s Juke Joint tent.
Chef Michael Stokes and his staff were again run off their feet with the seafood chowder and salt-and-pepper squid the most popular items.
The tent was also the location on Sunday for the Telstra Road to Discovery competition, which was won by local Narooma talent Connor Ross.
Connor, 18 and a multi-instrumentalist singer/songwriter from Cobargo, beat out five other aspiring and original songwriters from New South Wales.
The festival was also fun and successful for the girls dressed in pink from the “I will survive” breast cancer fundraising and awareness campaign led by Jess Bourke of Narooma.
Jess and her girls had raised at least $700 by the evening and the campaign will culminate with the big family day at Club Narooma on Saturday, October 18.
They also revived the festival tradition of “pegging” where kids ran around sneakily placing pegs on the backs of people at the festival.
The pegs naturally this year where painted pink.
The footy colours of the Rabbits and Bulldogs were also on display as fans watched the game on the big screen.
Narooma Rotarians were hard at work over the weekend cooking for Blues Festival patrons plus running the special Sunday markets.
Narooma Rotary president Angie Ulrichsen said members, partners and friends all put in a sterling effort.
“It was hard work but always such good fun,” Ulrichsen said.
“It’s such a great atmosphere at the Blues and we really enjoy being part of it.
“Everyone at the festival loves coming to Narooma and many of our customers rate this Festival one of the best in Australia.
“It’s such a great experience for us all.
“And of course, our steaks, rissoles and donuts are always such big hits.’
Ulrichsen believes Rotary has worked at every Blues Festival from the start.
Bill Smyth Oval meanwhile was a hive of activity on Monday morning as the big top tents and all the associated gear came down.
Neil Mumme again said the festival had been another success back in Narooma although the numbers were down by about 800 people from the typical attendance of between 10,000 and 11,000 over the three days.
