Tumbafest will go ahead next month, as Tumbarumba residents begin to repair their bushfire-ravaged community.
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While firefighters were getting ready for hot and windy conditions on Friday, when the maximum temperature is expected to be 43, residents of the Snowy Valleys area were also beginning to look to the future.
Ken Dale from the Tumbarumba Business Chamber said while all the details for the 2020 Tumbafest were yet to be finalised, the event will go ahead on February 22 and 23 as originally planned.
"We have decided to go ahead with Tumbafest as something for the community to look forward to," he said.
Mr Dale said support for the business communities in bushfire-affected communities would be vital in helping them to recover and rebuild in the months ahead.
IN OTHER NEWS:
As bushfire-ravaged communities began the task of rebuilding, a number of campaigns to encourage people to help are springing up.
The successful Buy from the Bush and Buy Regional campaigns, which was helping retailers in drought-affected areas in the lead-up to Christmas, is now being expanded to acknowledge communities affected by bushfires.
This week, Australian mining engineer, athlete and burns survivor Turia Pitt set up Instagram account @spendwiththem in order to "help rebuild towns and businesses affected by fire", while #gowithemptyeskys began trending after a Facebook post by Tegan Weber.
Mrs Weber, who along with her husband has a YouTube channel chronicling their world travels, posted a plea for people to "do just one thing".
"When these fires have stopped, and the towns impacted are safe and trying to regain some sense of 'normal', I want you to plan a road trip," she wrote.
"Go with empty eskies, empty cars and low fuel. Go, spend your money, stay in their hotels, buy from their shops, camp at their camp grounds, buy their gifts, buy their fuel, buy bread and milk.
"Beyond rebuilding, they need continued and long term support to get back on their feet and your empty esky makes more of a difference than you could ever imagine."
East Gippsland businesswoman Tenille Bull set up a website which takes a slightly different approach to helping businesses stay afloat. Visitors to the site can buy virtual coffees or beers, clothing or haircuts, dinner or accommodation - with all proceeds being donated to the respective businesses.
Website visitors can also choose to "buy a coffee for a hero", whether its a firefighter, police officer or another first responder.
