FROM throwing octopuses to making them out of sand, the Port MacDonnell Bayside Festival had something for everyone on Sunday.
Thanks to the major sponsor Mount Gambier and District Community Bank, thousands of people enjoyed the seaside festivities that were on offer, with the day deemed a huge success by organisers.
“We had around 3000 people walk through the gates and all the stall-holders were wrapped with the sales they made,” organiser Michelle Jacquelin-Furr said.
“We had lot of different things happening this year, from tent competitions to sculpturing, there was something for everyone.”
The famous octopus throw had people in the crowd ducking for cover again this year, with new faces joined by old ones to compete in the highly anticipated event.
Zane Martin returned to defend his title and did not disappoint onlookers, launching the octopus a huge distance to claim victory by the smallest of margins.
“Zane returned from Bendigo with a large group of his family to try and win this competition again and he was successful,” Ms Jacquelin-Furr said.
“The Victorians are beating us in this event, so we put the call-out to any South Australians to come and knock him off next year.”
While people launched octopuses, a talented man from the Lyons Sculpture Park in Victoria, John Dixon, was creating one out of sand at the seaside.
Children were amazed by the sculpture and joined in the fun by creating their own sand sculptures with the help of Mr Dixon.
“It is a start to art, so if we can encourage children to play and learn in this environment is a great thing,” Mr Dixon said.
The great debate was “where do the eyes go?” a question that created lots of laughs throughout the day.
