The East Gippsland Field Days was a raging success over Friday and Saturday with the $5 entry initiative reinforcing to organisers “it is a community event and we can’t lose sight of the fact it is for everybody”.

Those were the words of field days chairman, Ron Alexander, who said despite the forecast of poor weather, patron numbers increased and exhibitors were pleased with the event’s vibe.

“We are pleased with the outcome and we were really pleased with the atmosphere and all the little attractions we put on and how they were received. We’re happy. I can’t find any negatives,” he said.

“I think the $5 entry played a factor, I think there was probably an extra 1000 people come through the gate and whether they were more inclined to bring their children because it seemed there were a lot more kids here than in year’s past, it may have encouraged more families to come I would say.

“Friday was better for exhibitors and everybody than it appeared, but Saturday was a really nice day.

“It all flowed well, the car parking, the entrance, there was a breeze and it was a little cool in places, but it was a really nice day yesterday. People found a place and I think they quite enjoyed it.

“I think they (the exhibitors) were very happy. A big thank you to them for turning up and supporting us yet again.”

Mr Alexander said the pricing reduction, which was subsidised by the East Gippsland Shire Council supported by East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority, East Gippsland Water and Southern Rural Water, was used in a bid to boost community spirits while East Gippsland endures prolonged drought conditions, but it also acted as a “learning curve” for the field days committee, according to Mr Alexander.

“With the change of entry price and how there was reaction to that, it’s probably going to change our thinking a bit as to how we tackle next year and there is a few things for us to seriously review in the next month,” he said.

“We’ve had an $18 entry fee for the past two years and children have paid, but we are thinking we might have to reduce that and keep kids free somehow.

“For us it has been a real learning curve and I think there is going to be some real positives to come from it.”

PICTURED:  Greg, Charli (3), Evie (3), Peter, Ashley and Hunter (three months) Coates, of Bairnsdale, enjoyed a day out at the hugely popular East Gippsland Field Days on Saturday. Despite poor weather being forecast, patron numbers increased substantially, largely due to the $5 entry initiative.