The threat of a dust storm plus rain and wind didn't deter people from attending the second annual Fong Lees Lane festivities on Friday.
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Locals and people from as far as Dubbo, Bathurst and Sydney took part in the event which celebrates Wellington's Aboriginal and Chinese cultures.
As well as various local food vendors, there was plenty of entertainment on the evening with entertainment from local musicians, performances by the PCYC dance group and a lantern parade.
The inaugural event in 2018 was a surprise hit for organiser's of the Wellington Arts committee, with 2500 people attending.
Despite the weather, Wellington Arts committee president Lisa Thomas said it was lovely to see people turn out in droves.
"We've got people photographing each other and being friends and that's what we want," she added.
A Welcome to Country was conducted by local Aboriginal man, Paul West. He said it made him very proud to see all cultures celebrated.
"I was born and raised in the town and a lot of our people worked in the Chinese gardens all those years ago, so there's always been that connection. I'm just proud to be amongst the people...," Mr West explained.
"We were hand-in-hand with the Chinese people, they helped us and we helped them. It's been a good relationship throughout all of these years."
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The festival also hosted a group of 20 people from Sydney's Chinese Australian Historical Society. Ms Thomas said it was lovely to have them in Wellington for Fong Lees Lane.
"They realised the significance of the Chinese population in Wellington and how unique that was....," she said.
"We've got the great Aboriginal-Chinese marriages that have carried on. It's been a really good experience for Wellington. The Chinese really helped put Wellington on the map."
Juanita Kwok, from Bathurst, attended the inaugural festival and thought it was so great decided to organise the Chinese Australian Historical Society group to come along this year.
While in town they also visited the Oxley Museum, and Ms Kwok said it has a "fantastic collection".
"The great thing about the Oxley Museum is you know those (Chinese) objects came from the Ling store and the Ling family...," she added.
Chinese Australian Historical Society president Daphne Lowe-Kelly, said the history of the Chinese in Australia was not generally known despite being in Australia for over 200 years.
Taylor Jurd
Hi, my name is Taylor Jurd. I am a journalist with Australian Community Media, I write for the Western Magazine and Wellington Times.
Hi, my name is Taylor Jurd. I am a journalist with Australian Community Media, I write for the Western Magazine and Wellington Times.
