Festival fun flows under big skies

Rainbow’s Big Sky Festival delivered a strong turnout, lively trade and glowing community feedback, with organiser Ben Gosling describing the event as ‘a very successful day all round’.

By Tayyaab Masroor

Nicholas Ridicuolus was a hit with the children, keeping them laughing with his tricks during the Big Sky Festival at the Oasis Rainbow on Saturday, March 14. See more pictures on PAGE 6.

Held at The Oasis on Saturday, March 14, the free festival brought together live music, market stalls, children’s entertainment and community activities, attracting visitors from both Rainbow and well beyond.

Mr Gosling said the event drew a very good crowd, despite fuel prices likely affecting attendance.

“There was a very good crowd,” he said.

“The fuel situation likely had an impact on numbers, but overall, we are still very happy.”

He said the weather also played in the festival’s favour.

“The weather was perfect, so that helped.”

Visitors travelled from a range of locations to attend, giving the event a strong regional and interstate feel.

“A large percentage of the audience was from outside of Rainbow, with some travelling a long way for the festival,” Mr Gosling said.

“Melbourne, Mildura, Beachport SA, Ballarat to name a few.”

The festival also featured 25 stalls and food vendors, with traders reporting a positive day.

“There were 25 stalls, plus the food vendors,” he said.

“The stallholders were happy, and the food vendors did a great trade.”

Mr Gosling said the standout moment of the day came from seeing the crowd connect with the live performances.

“Watching a happy crowd enjoying the brilliant music was the highlight,” he said.

Families also embraced the day’s extra activities, with children’s entertainer Nicholas Ridiculous proving popular, along with pottery demonstrations and community mural painting on the shelter shed.

Feedback from festivalgoers was especially encouraging.

“Overwhelmingly positive and most couldn’t believe the quality of the music for a free event,” Mr Gosling said.

He said community support remained central to the festival’s success, with sponsors helping keep the event free and the raffle raising valuable funds for The Oasis.

“A massive thank you to our sponsors who allowed it to be a free event,” he said.

“The raffle was well supported and raised useful money for the Oasis.”

Mr Gosling also thanked the many locals who helped set up, pack up, clean the site and lend equipment.

“Thank you to everyone who contributed to the success of the event; it can only happen due to the generosity of our community,” he said.

“As Chris Zadow reminded me while cooking at the Lake Committee BBQ, we don’t just do it to raise money, we do it because we love where we live and want to make it a better place to live.”