“We have had a wonderful event and one of the biggest things in recent weeks has been the weather,” he said.

“Last weekend was pretty ordinary but the weather has definitely had an impact this weekend.

“We also had a very successful festival last year and therefore we’ve got a lot of repeat customers.”

Mr Humphris said organisers had invested heavily in bands including Claymore, Damien Howard and the Ploughboys, as well as the Australian Male Welsh Choir.

“Another unexpected big band was the Go-Sets,” Mr Humphris said.

Saturday’s parade was well supported and the Calling of the Pipes at 7.30pm had between 1000 and 1500 people come back into the town after the events of earlier in the day.

Mr Humphris said other events that drew strong patronage was the family concert and the gala dinner dance on Friday night at La Trobe University.

“We had nearly 200 people there including tables from Sydney, Queensland and even Western Australia.

“The festival is one of the biggest opportunities for our regional town to attract visitors from Albury-Wodonga, Wangaratta and Melbourne.

“There has also been pleasing feedback from the retail sector of the town.”

Mr Humphris said the organising committee hoped to build on this year’s success in 2011 and had collected new survey information from patrons.

“We’ll have a debrief, but we’d probably like to strengthen the outdoor area, as well as activities for children in addition to this year’s jumping castle and free stage,” he said.

“We have a great committee and it has been a big budget to manage by a small committee so it has been pleasing to have this result.

“The other good thing is that many visitors are planning a return next year and have already booked their accommodation.”