EMBRACING the diverse and unique, the opening weekend of Fringe Mount Gambier has been deemed a fun-filled adventure for all involved.
Kicking off with Friday evening’s Lift-off Street Party, the jam-packed event has elevated the city’s cultural status across the Limestone Coast.
From mouth-watering street food to tumbling circus acts, Copenhagen Mount Gambier manager Marj D’Agostino said the opening night was a clear indicator of what appeals to the community.
“The whole night went really well and although I was busy handling sales I could tell people were enjoying themselves,” she said.
“From my point of view when seeing the amount of people in the one space you can tell the community wants to see more events like this.
“I could barely fault the night, everything ran well.”
LAST Community Choir member Julie Argy said the flurry of sights and sounds on Friday night was “very exciting” and “full on”.
“I love how it gets us all out of our homes to meet up with each other to have a good time,” she said.
“It is pretty frantic but it is what Mount Gambier needs.
“It is great to have a blend of the local acts and talent mixed in with some from Adelaide as it creates more of a diversity.”
Ms D’Agostino said the event gave “a face” to Mount Gambier and opportunity for new people to visit the city.
“The festival is growing our community and just projects a welcoming and fun vibe,” she said.
“There are so many talented people out there and the Fringe gives them an opportunity to show people what they have got.”
Compared to the 2018 Fringe Mount Gambier event, Ms D’Agostino said her business was much busier this year.
“Our sales were easily doubled throughout the night with our introduction of street food including barbecued corn, kartoffelpuffer – German potatoes and Danish hot dogs,” she said.
“It is one of our busiest times of the year and we love being involved.
“I would love to see a few more activities for kids down the street.”
With a seemingly larger push this year than last, Ms D’Agostino believes more people knew the event was being held.
“The weather played a large factor as well because it was nice and warm, the perfect median,” she said.
“It is not as big as the Adelaide Fringe yet obviously, but we are getting there which is amazing to see.”
Ms D’Agostino said the thousands of people in the one space was an effective way of creative a “loud buzz.”
“I do not think you would get the same feeling if you expanded it further down the street,” she said.
“I know when events are held at the rail lands you can get lost because it is such a large space, so the small space worked well.
“I would love to see people continue to support events like this and maybe we could hold more events similar to this during the year.”
