STRONG business support and a focus on youngsters have contributed to the success of this year's Banjo Paterson Festival as events wrapped up on Sunday.
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Orange360 general manager Caddie Marshall said attendance at the night markets on Friday came in at just below 3000.
"That cool breeze picked up, but once again we had a lot of locals at Robertson Park, a lot of young families and it seemed all the stallholders had a good night," she said.
Ms Marshall said while some Sydneysiders and people from further west did attend, "this is the one locals consider their own".
The Emmaville Cottage Family Markets on Sunday attracted 2000 people to Orange Botanic Gardens.
Each of the businesses who supported the festival last year by running events did so again this year - Borrodell Vineyard expanded its Shakespeare Under the Stars event to two, as did Small Acres Cyder with its damper workshops.
Ms Marshall said The Lord Anson's Banjo Brawl on Saturday night was particularly successful, where participants came armed with a 60-second poem or rap.
"You really couldn't have fit any more people in that top room," she said.
Ross Hill Wines also repeated its cooking workshop, Heifer Station Wines held open mic night The Wrath of Grapes a second time, Rosebank Guest House at Millthorpe opened its doors once again for a garden barbecue and the Amusu Theatre at Manildra entertained with a film.
Ms Marshall said the inaugural three-course dinner at Molong Village Green attracted about 100 people, which organisers felt was positive for its first year, while De Salis Wines also joined the program for the first time with Poets at Sunset.
"It's started to take on its own life," she said of the way the private events built on the signature events from Yeoval to Orange.
"It just gives a lovely tapestry to the festival - it's an expense to bring out talent, but it's fabulous.
"It's what Banjo did, telling stories that made us feel connected."
She applauded Orange Rotary Club's work with the poetry competition and bringing poet Marco Gliori to Orange to work with students in August.
"He came back the week before the festival to give them the confidence to perform," she said.
"It's setting those kids up to be able to articulate their own imaginations."
The Emmaville Cottage Family Markets on Sunday attracted 2000 people to Orange Botanic Gardens.
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