A record number of market stallholders as well as chariot races, a street parade and a showcase of talents have pulled in the crowds to the 2016 Wellington SpringFest.
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Organisers are thrilled with the response to the weekend, saying the annual event attracted locals and some people from neighbouring towns.
It was the biggest SpringFest yet in terms of the numbers who turned out to the markets on Saturday, SpringFest committee chairman Ian Law said.
“The park was teeming with people,” he said.
New additions to the program - a movie in Cameron Park on Saturday night and the SpringFest Cycle Classic - had been embraced.
“We had a lot of people who came in from out of town, particularly to the Cycle Classic, which had 52 riders,” Mr Law said.
“We are absolutely pleased. . . it will now be part of SpringFest [in the future].”
The sun beamed down as stallholders displayed their wares, while vintage cars and Sooty the steam engine shone in the street parade.
“We had 90-odd stalls - the biggest we’ve ever had,” Mr Law said.
The Western Stores building was packed with about 50 quilts made by local quilters, a spring floral display by the Wellington Garden Group and more, while the Red Cross was kept busy serving devonshire tea.
Outside along Nanima Crescent the usual traffic was replaced by some two-wheeled vehicles.
Chariot races set the adrenalin pumping and as a program item went from “strength to strength”, Mr Law said.
The hard-working volunteer committee was delighted with the response to the weekend.
“We had the weather, the people, it was a fantastic day,” Mr Law said.
“We’re thrilled and the feedback we’re getting is very positive.”