WITH the iconic lyrics of Goodnight Irene echoing from Arlo Guthrie on stage three, the curtains closed on the Folkie for another year.
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Music lovers packed up their low chairs yesterday and the sound and light productions were dismantled while an estimated $12 million was injected into the local community.
Guthrie, a folk music legend, said he loved the small town styled festival.
“I love the idea of so many volunteers coming together,” he said.
“To know that the proceeds contribute to the town. It’s a feeling that is hard to put into words.
“I had a good time.”
Port Fairy Folk Festival committee president Bruce Leishman said the event went as smoothly as possible.
He said the crowds were brilliant with a diverse range of acts hitting the mark.
“It was all great. People were really happy with the diverse entertainment.
“We estimate about $12 million to $15 million went into the local economy.
“There’s 11,500 people who need accommodation, food and everything else they buy.
“That’s just the ticket-holders.”
Mr Leishman said at midnight on Friday night there was a power outage which caused a few headaches but the power was restored by 8.30am on Saturday morning.
“The power outage was our biggest issue,” he said. “99.9 per cent of things were fine.”
Mr Leishman said the dedication of volunteers could not be underestimated with about 13,000 man hours of volunteers.
“We have a massive team of volunteers. It’s through their support that money goes back into Port Fairy and the district,” he said.
“The weather was brilliant, it was a blessing in disguise.
“We were worried it was going to be too hot. But the cool breeze struck every day about 3pm.”
Asked if preparations had begun for the 38th Port Fairy Folk Festival, Mr Leishman said they were already working on the 40th.
Police again praised crowd behaviour with one man arrested for being drunk in a public place and two men given penalty notices for behaviour offences on Sunday night.
“We’re very happy with the behaviour over the weekend,” Sergeant Mick Wolfe said.
“For the amount of people that were there and only a few came to our attention, it’s very good.”
