General News
12 April, 2024
Record numbers gather for Big Sky's third festival bash
The Oasis Rainbow was the place to be last Saturday afternoon with hundreds of people from around the region showing up to support the town's third Big Sky Festival.
The Oasis Rainbow was the place to be last Saturday afternoon with hundreds of people from around the region showing up to support the town's third Big Sky Festival.
The first Big Sky Festival in 2018 was launched to celebrate the small town transformation grant received by The Oasis project "Creativity on the Edge of the Desert".
It has quickly become a standalone event with the support of Hindmarsh Shire Council and the Rainbow Town Committee.
Orgainser Ben Gosling said holding the festival every second year will hopefully draw more people in.
"By doing that, people will hopefully be more determined to see it," he said.
The rain stayed out of Rainbow for the afternoon as the pleasent cool weather created a perfect day.
"I kept getting messages from people saying they're bringing car loads of people with them," Mr Gosling said.
"We think about 500 people attended, some think even more came," he said.
A working bee was held to ensure the grounds were in neat condition and festival ready.
"We had time to make the place look nice and it was well worth the effort," Mr Gosling said.
As the clock struck 2pm, the markets opened and the area was flooded with people as they spread throughout the front courtyard and around the outside of the main building.
Over 20 stall holders from around the region including Dimboola, Horsham, Warracknabeal, Nhill showcased their businesses alongside local Rainbow goods, ranging from handbags, earrings and clothing, to essential oils, soaps and plants - there was something to be found for everyone.
Most stall holders said they would come back for next time, creating one of the many positives coming out of the festival.
Rainbow P-12 College students were busy selling donuts and also had their Rainbow Grab 'n Go van where mini pancakes were sold.
The 1st Rainbow Scout and Cubs helped keep attendees fed selling hotdogs and dim sims, and hydrated with milkshakes and soft drinks.
Kids activities in the old shelter shed, included painting, playdough, diggers and cars, magnetic tiles, instruments and more, kept the younger attendees entertained throughout the day.
Big Sky Festival organiser Ben Gosling said The Oasis ran their major fundraising raffle at the festival, raising almost $2500 - money which will be used to maintain the sustainability of The Oasis as a venue and community asset.
The main prize up for grabs was a portable fire pit cast, iron cooking set and carrying bags, which was won by Pete Stasinowsky.
Other prizes including a Nutrimetics pamper kit, Big Sky Festival merchandise pack, and three $50 gift vouchers from local stores.
Taylor Project kicked off the live entertainment at 2:30pm, followed by five-time Golden Guitar winner Pete Denahy, who also emceed the live music.
Rainbow's own The Lazy Farmer's Sons were back on stage to the delight of everybody there, and The Blues Berries and Nicky Bomba kept toes tapping into the night.
Entertainment continued at the Eureka Hotel where The Shorts performed on the new outdoor stage for those wanting to keep the party going.
Mr Gosling said it was the first time they've held a late night act at the pub as part of the festival and was happy with the feedback.
"It went really well, the pub was packed and everyone had fun there," he said.
"It couldn't have gone better.
"Huge thank you to the shire and the town committee for their funds, and anyone who helped out in any way to make this event possible."