Orange has proudly gained a reputation as a tourist mecca for people seeking fine food and good wine.
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We have major festivals that attract people from all over NSW and interstate to taste and sip the best local produce and wine.
They bring in serious money to boost the economy.
And our regional apple, cherry and wine harvests are major earners for the local economy.
However, one sector that sometime falls under the radar is our ability to attract junior sporting carnivals to Orange.
Over the long weekend 15 teams of under 14 rugby players came to town to contest the state championships.
One team arrived from Victoria by coach, there were teams from key regional and coastal areas plus many of the major Sydney Shute Shield clubs were represented.
Organisers estimate the total boost to the economy was to the tune of about $500,000.
And it was spread around the community.
Members of the Orange Emus and Orange City rugby clubs tirelessly worked the canteen, barbecues and catering at the ground.
Tournament director Deryck Ward believes each club will pocket a $5000 profit for the endeavours of the weekend.
That’s one of their biggest fundraising activities all year.
‘No vacancy’ signs were evident as the players, their families, team officials and organisers filled hotels, motels, farmstays and other accommodation around the city.
Team colours were seen all around Orange at night as the teams attended dinners, and their parents attended the pubs, spreading money to the various food and drink vendors.
Only a few months ago more than 800 people were in Orange for two weeks of junior cricket carnivals.
The longer stays boosted the spend in town to an estimated total of $750,000.
One motel manager said he had two teams staying for the mid-January event at what was a traditionally quiet time for visitors to Orange.
And again it directly helped local sport with the proceeds funding the upgrading of a cricket pitch.
The sporting carnivals might seem old-school but they continue to bring in money and display the attractions of Orange to a wider audience.
Even better, many of them are coming here for the first time.
