Port Fairy’s Winter Weekends are coaxing people out from in front of their heaters and fires and warming them up with a series of activity weekends which kicked off on Saturday.

People from across Victoria made the trip to the seaside town to enjoy three days of entertainment, starting with a family afternoon at Belfast Aquatics on Saturday.

Winter Weekends co-ordinator Ross Morey yesterday told The Standard he was “thrilled” with the progressive outcome of the inaugural event.

“If the inability to get a car park in the main street is anything to go by, it was successful,” he laughed.

“We’ve definitely been meeting expectations, if not exceeding them.”

Mr Morey said yesterday’s Dogs’ Breakfast proved to be popular, encouraging crowds of people to stay and watch the Dachshund Dash at Southcombe Park.

The annual dog race attracted entrants from across the state.

A gospel session at Charlie’s On East yesterday afternoon featuring Warrnambool a cappella group The Resonators was another highlight, Mr Morey said.

The activities will continue today with a golf competition at the Port Fairy Golf Club and the Port Singers’ travelling concert throughout the town centre.

Mr Morey said plans were already under way for next month’s Winter Weekends instalment, a food and wine-themed weekend on July 7, 8 and 9.

“We want to keep visitors to Port Fairy entertained, ensure that they have lots and lots to do,” he said. “It gives them reasons to come back.”

bziegeler@standard.fairfax.com.au