“If we can bring benefits to the local area twice a year, why shouldn’t we?”
That was the response from Strawberry Fields director Tara Benney when she was asked if the Good Times Festival would now become an annual event.
The inaugural family friendly music and lifestyle festival was held in Tocumwal at the weekend to a capacity crowd of 1000 people.
Their other event - the Strawberry Fields Festival - will make a return to the same festival site this November.
Ms Benney said while the first Good Times festival was plagued with obstacles and delays - COVID-19 and the floods specifically - the team behind it is “super keen to make it annual”.
“There is so much there that works really well for families,” she said.
“The highlights of the weekend really depends on who you are, but a lot of people were jealous they did not pre-book for the long seated lunch.
“The Wild Feast Over Fire saw chef Pip Sumbak cater to 50 people, but we could have seated a lot more if they had pre-booked.
“We had people coming past and asking if they could get involved, but we had to turn them away.”
Ms Benney said the music was obviously a highlight, with CW Stoneking attracting the largest crowd and Floodlights also very popular.
Of the 1000 in attendance, just over one fifth were from the local area.
More than 200 people took advantage of the local ticket discount for Berrigan and Moira Shire residents.
Ms Benney said the remainder of other guests predominantly hailed from other local areas, regional Victoria and Melbourne.
“It was an absolutely awesome weekend.
“The weather was in our favour, because it was not too hot but the sun was out.”