Strong turnout for Wangaratta Jazz Festival public meeting in Apex Park

A public meeting attended by about 180 people on Wednesday night attracted more people onto a working party formed to revive the event following the recent announcement it wouldn't be held in 2019.

Former festival committee chairperson Patti Bullus is spearheading the rescue mission with representatives from the city's motel industry Wendy Booth and businesses Jane Hill speaking about the importance of keeping the event going on.

"The aim of tonight is to hopefully get a few more people to join with us to share their ideas and make sure we put something on that is beneficial to the town this year," Ms Bullus said.

"One thing we definitely want to do is bring the festival back into the centre of town."

Ms Bullus also revealed at the meeting a venue had been booked for a 30-year reunion, a mass dedicated to the festival would be held at the Holy Trinity Anglican Cathedral nd markets would also be held.

The working party also hopes Wangaratta Council's plans for a replacement musical event won't encroach onto the festival's traditional timeslot.

"Melbourne Cup weekend is jazz festival weekend," Ms Bullus said.

Mrs Hill said retailers were fearful of the impact on the town without the festival.

"I think they were a bit frightened we might have lost it," she said.

"They really understand they actually need to do something and be supportive."

Mrs Booth said the motel industry needed certainty an event was happening in early November to hold onto bookings which had been made.

The jazz festival annual meeting is being held on Monday night.

The Border Mail has been told there were presently five vacancies on the festival board of directors.

Former mayor Ken Clarke and Cr Harry Bussell attended the public meeting, but didn't speak.