DISPLAYING a diversity of creative culture, the Macksville Laneway Festival on Saturday 11 March was a stunning success, with Nambucca Valley residents and visitors turning out in large numbers to enjoy a vast afternoon and evening program of local arts and performance events.

“I’m still pinching myself at how well this event turned out,” said event organiser Phil Nicholas from Events Delivered.

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“The wet weather held off until the entertainment ended – although the crew packed up in the rain – festival legends, every one of them.

“In terms of delivering on the brief to reconnect regional communities, we absolutely nailed it.

“All around me and throughout the entire event, people were catching up with acquaintances and loving the community atmosphere.”

With an estimated 1,500 visitors across the day, the steps in front of the stage and the whole western end of River Street were jam packed right until the last bars of headline act ‘Sunset Strut’.

Featuring dozens of local organisations, artists and performers included music acts Billie-Jo Porter, Loose Cannons and Blind Pretty, dance performances from Valley Performing Arts Centre and Opal Dreaming, and a ‘Welcome to Country’ by Uncle Micklo Jarrett.

Two local choirs, Valla Voices and the Yarrapinni Choir, gave performances, after which the audience were invited to sing along with renditions of ‘You’re the Voice’ and ‘Dancing in the Street’, along with the choir and backing band.

The floorspace at Galeria Creative Junction was abuzz with activity as local artists and writers gave workshops and book launches.

According to the business owner and curator Felice Ferrer-Burton, it was the busiest day they’d experienced since opening.

After dark, the lantern parade, headed up by two giant cardboard puppets, wound its way up and down Wallace Lane to the beat of local reggae sound system MC Fitzroy Lee feat. Fluxa, and in the laneway, children and parents played with hula hoops, juggling balls and poi, before fire twirler Karma dazzled the audience with her high energy performance.

“The atmosphere was electric,” Mr Nicholas said.

“There are so many talented artists in this region.

“The incredible street performer Bendy Em had over 500 people gobsmacked one moment at her contortion abilities, then giggling their heads off at her humour.”

Festival-goer Greta Bodle described the festival experience as “wonderful”.

“So well organised, great turn out and fabulous atmosphere,” Greta said.

“Can’t wait for next year!”

The event was funded by the NSW Government, via the ‘Reconnecting Regional NSW’ Community Events Program.

To provide feedback, a festival survey is available at www.macksvillelanewayfestival.com.au

By Jen HETHERINGTON