Warm evening weather saw an estimated 5000 people gather in Seymour Street for the first Traralgon Summer Night Festival.
The main street was closed to traffic on Friday night with families enjoying some 40 stalls – from farmers’ market produce and winery samplings to fashion and retail bargains.
“I couldn’t have anticipated in my wildest dreams that it would be so successful the first time,” event organiser and Traralgon Chamber of Commerce secretary Ty Morsink said.
Mr Morsink said most stalls had a “big night” with many food stalls selling out several times over.
He said children’s entertainment was also a huge success, with many enjoying the petting zoo, jumping castle and face painting.
“The weather played in our favour and many of the stall operators and kids’ activities said they had no idea it was going to be so big,” he said.
“It was a very outdoor festival and weather dependent, so it was really good to have the only nice day of the week fall on our festival day.”
Mr Morsink said the event would be back in 2016 with more stalls to choose from.
He said he would also speak to shop owners about how to increase local trade during the event.
“It’s given businesses a new platform to get out there and directly promote their businesses,” Mr Morsink said.
