The committee had decided to organise the event for January 6 rather than the end of the year to avoid the rain pattern that had plagued the event for the last three years.

This was not to be the case.

The committee worked all day on Saturday, setting up the event on the third fairway at the Bualahdelah Gold Course and crossing their fingures that the rain would hold off on the Sunday.

Things didn’t quite go to plan.

At 6.30am on Sunday morning the call went out and the volunteers had to pull down all of Saturdays work and set it up inside the rooms at the Bulahdelah Golf Club.

The festival started at midday and continued on until 11pm that night.

It was enjoyed by around 650 people from all over the area.

Festival goers were entertained by Trevor Knight and his John Denver experience, winner of the independent female vocalist of the year Award and Golden Guitar nominee Amber Lawrence, Mark Lee and the Co-Pilots, Reluctant Friends of Steve, local band VICE, Five Hour Drive and local bluegrass and folk band, the Slicksville Pickers.

“A big thank you must go to our major sponsor Down Under Brewery Resort, who without their sponsorship the festival would not have been possible. We must also thank our other sponsors 101.5 FM, Great Lakes Tourism and all local businesses that participated in the festival,” festival coordinator Allan Freihaut said.

The Bulahdelah Hospital and the Great Lakes Nursing Home were the beneficiaries of the festival with each organisation receiving a cheque for $2104.40.

“I would like to thanks all those involved in the festival for their efforts,” Mr Freihaut said.