WITH high profile performers attracting sell-out crowds, organiser Narelle Allen yesterday declared 2008 the best Fun4Kids Festival in the event's 10-year history.
Headline act Hi-5 ensured the final day of the festival sold out but Friday and Saturday also attracted sell-out crowds.
Ms Allen said she was delighted by the attendance on all eight days of the festival.
``For the first time in Fun4Kids we had several sell-out days,'' she said.
``Headline performers Hi-5, ABC Play School's Justine Clarke, The Chipolatas from the UK and the Wiggles favourite characters were major drawcards.
``Although visitors were often drawn to the high-profile acts, many were equally impressed with the vast range of other shows, activities and workshops.
``Fun4Kids 2008 certainly provided a unique combination of children's entertainment that will long be remembered.''
Keen to get a good view of Hi-5 some families began lining up at 8.30am to see the 11am performance.
While the queue was growing, Hi-5 were tucking into a hearty breakfast with competition winner Tara Neave and some of her friends.
As winner of The Standard colouring-in competition, five-year-old Tara invited her brother Blake, sister Sophie and best friends Grace Dowd and Tatum Cassidy to join her in meeting the entertainment group.
This year was Hi-5's first appearance at the festival and performer Sun Park said the group was looking forward to meeting their Fun4Kids fans.
``It is nice to come and perform at a festival like this,'' she said.
Back at Fun4Kids, the line-up from the festival's main entrance on Liebig Street had stretched to Banyan Street by the time doors opened at 10am.
Emotions ran high after some families that had queued for over an hour hoping to catch Hi-5's morning performance were told Festival Hall was full and they would have to wait for the second performance at 3pm.
About 150 people, including those who couldn't wait to see the afternoon show, viewed a live feed of the performance in the Art Gallery.
Catherine Mahar, of Warrnambool, was one of many disappointed parents who bought tickets planning to see Hi-5's morning performance.
``We've got a birthday party this afternoon and we can't stay for the other performance, so (my kids) miss out now,'' she said. ``They might as well be watching them on TV. It's just not the same as seeing them live.''
Others, like Sheron Cook, of Warrnambool, said her children were happy with the viewing room.
``I think, at least they've got that. It's a good alternative'' she said.
``We've got tickets for this afternoon and we understand they can only fit so many people in at one time.''
Stalls were cleared from Festival Hall to allow more than 2500 people to see each Hi-5 performance.
Ms Allen said she had only received positive feedback.
``It was all about child and patron enjoyment and safety,'' she said.
``The kids were still able to get up and dance safely with plenty of room and everyone I've spoken to was happy.''
Ms Allen said the huge crowds over the eight days had put festival volunteers through their paces.
``Our scarecrows reunited over 120 lost parents with their children and hundreds of volunteers put in thousands of hours assisting the festival audience have a great time,'' she said
Last year's festival generated over 28,000 bed stays in Warrnambool and Ms Allen said she believed that figure had increased this year.
There will be no rest for organisers because the 10-day task of dismantling the 2.5 acre village began early this morning.
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