mmg.com.au

Numbers were well up at this year’s ‘‘terrific’’ Deniliquin Sun Festival, according to festival chairman Geoff Riley.

There were ‘‘several hundred’’ extra children at the first event of the festival, which was the Kids’ Party in the Park on January 13.

About 1000 people attended the party, making the most of the free rides, entertainment from The Great Gizmo, Farmer Darryl’s Farmyard, and more.

‘‘The children’s party was so fabulous because the weather was so good,’’ Mr Riley said.

‘‘I’d say we had quite a few hundred more than usual, because of the cooler weather.

‘‘It usually finishes about 1pm because of the heat - but this year we had to tell people at 2.20pm that the rides were over.

‘‘A lot of the presenters said they were the most well-behaved children for such a big crowd.’’

The second part of the festival was the Deniliquin Australia Day celebrations in the Waring Gardens, which included a delicious bacon and egg breakfast cooked by Deniliquin Rotary Club.

‘‘The Rotary Club have got it down to a fine art,’’ Mr Riley said.

‘‘Our guest speaker (ABC TV sports reporter and Deniliquin Australia Day ambassador Peter Wilkins) was outstanding in that he really got the crowd with him.

‘‘The crowd was a bit bigger than usual again because it was such a lovely day.’’

However, Mr Riley said the one disappointment was that no one was nominated for the Young Citizen of the Year Award at the Sun Festival’s Australia Day celebrations.

‘‘I feel disappointed because there are so many young people that contribute to many organisations and things in town,’’ he said.

‘‘Give a little bit of thought to our younger people.’’

The final festival event - the Family Fun Day - was held on Saturday in conjunction with the Deniliquin Lions Club Community Markets.

The day included a jumping castle, dozens of stalls, tunes from Dr Music and the Elevators and more.

Mr Riley said he particularly received feedback about the great music.

‘‘It was a very successful and happy festival,’’ he said.

~ Jess Everingham