BRIGHT’S annual salute to seasonal colours and produce attracted large crowds keen to sample the offerings.
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The 10-day autumn festival ended with a weekend less affected by wet weather than had been feared.
President Brendan Holland said rain fell overnight but held off for most of Saturday’s Gala Day, with fine conditions for the street parade.
About 36 floats took part in the event, including a number of new entries that led organisers to add a newcomer’s prize to the honours.
The groups interpreted the parade theme, Alpine Life, in various ways.
“We had a massive number of cyclists come down, because part of our lifestyle is bike riding,” Mr Holland said.
“That's one of the beauties of this area, it just offers so much, you've got fishing and hiking and bike riding.”
Wandiligong Primary School’s replica of a cattleman’s hut won the award for the best overall float.
Porepunkah Primary School claimed best school float while the Rotary Club of Bright took out the community category.
The best business entry came from Bright Brewery and Freestyle Alpine Dance Academy was named best new float.
Huskies from Dinner Plain, vehicles from Falls Creek and several visiting bands added to the occasion.
Mr Holland said the unfavourable forecast probably kept some visitors and market stall holders away from Gala Day.
Sunday’s music event at Howitt Park had to be cancelled due to the weather.
More settled conditions accompanied the festival’s first weekend, which included the Anzac Day holiday.
Mr Holland said some businesses reported their busiest-ever days and one open garden event served 107 afternoon teas in two hours.
“The visitor information centre, they said they had 3000 people come into the information centre on Saturday and on Sunday,” he said.
A record number of stall holders attended the Wandi Nut Festival on April 23 and an evening bush dance held for the first time proved a success.
Bright Autumn Festival began in 1962 to mark the centenary of the then Shire of Bright and remained a showcase of autumn tones and harvest time.
“The colours are spectacular and that's the primary drawcard,” Mr Holland said.
“But we do want to be a celebration of other aspects of the region as well.”
