THE summer sun shone favourably on Port MacDonnell on Saturday as the township celebrated the 25th anniversary of its popular seaside festival.
Around 5000 people flocked to southern coast for the second Bay Escape, the revamped offering of the traditional Bayside Festival.
View social snapshots from the event here.
In its second year since the festival took a new direction, the family-friendly atmosphere had many new drawcards, including a unique aerial display by aerobatics legend Chris Sperou and pull-the-pot lobster fishing experiences.
Festival committee member Kate Hill believes it was a “pearler of a day” for everybody involved.
“We were stoked with the weather when comparing to last year’s event where it was blowing a gale,” Ms Hill said.
“There were a lot of happy people, which also makes us happy as a committee.”
Ms Hill said judging by the success of Saturday, the new format was resonating with Limestone Coast residents.
“The Bayside Festival was a success for so many years and was an amazing event, but feedback indicated that it needed a refresh,” she said.
“The Bay Escape is now in its second year and we have tried to refresh and revamp it while keeping all of the great components which worked remaining.
“The committee wants to continue the tradition, while adding some new elements like food, wine and making the rock lobster a real hero.”
Ms Hill said around 1000 more people walked through the gates compared to the 2019 festival.
“The aim of the festival is to showcase Port MacDonnell and I think that is exactly what it has done,” she said.
“It is beginning to become a real hit on the late summer calendar and has made a bit of a hero out of the bayside town.”
Twirling over the fishing hot-spot during the event, Ms Hill said Mr Sperou was a clear crowd favourite on the day.
“Looking at all the attraction he made on social media, it was obvious Chris was a major drawcard,” she said.
“To have him flying over Port MacDonnell for our 25th year anniversary was a really great way to showcase the town, the new waterfront precinct and also celebrate how far the event has come.
“We tried some new things to keep it fresh including the pull-a-pot fishing experience which is something we will continue to work on for next year.”
Ms Hill said after a well-needed break, the committee would discuss feedback on how to continue to build-on the tradition.
