Headline musicians on the day were Frank Yamma, who packed an emotional punch with his raw song-writing, and Sweet Jean, whose songs alternated between the sweet and the melancholy. 

A popular new venue was the Caravan of Wonders, hosted by talented street performer Rhys Davies, which featured young musicians and cabaret. 

Candelo Arts Society secretary Sam Martin said attendance numbers were a little down this year, but “the feel of the festival was really good”.

Mr Martin has been involved in the festival since its inception, and said it was the most relaxed festival for him yet with everything working well.

Feedback on the festival had been very positive.

“I think everyone really enjoyed the relaxed and happy vibe that was the festival,” Mr Martin said. 

“I felt like it was a celebration of Candelo as a village.

“The main street has been pretty quiet for the last couple of years, but at the festival it was alive.” 

About 190 volunteers assisted on the day, which Mr Martin said was a higher number than usual.

For those who wanted to dance there were plenty of bands to boogie to, such as Queen Porter Stomp, the Bearded Gypsy Band, Azadoota, and the Jordan C Thomas Band who rounded off the night in the town hall.  

Mr Martin said while they have always recruited dance bands to play at the festival, they might not have had as many in the past.

The organisers have found that, especially into the evening, people do want to get up and dance.

Mr Martin said the procedure of not allowing alcohol into the venue had worked well, with everyone going there just to enjoy the music and festival.

There were venues in which to drink and listen to music, such as at the Candelo Hotel, and he thought the no-alcohol procedure would continue at the next festival.

With ticket sales pulling in around $33,000 in addition to the sponsorship, Mr Martin thought the society would be close to breaking even, which is what it aims for.