Saturday's River Arts Festival provided a showcase of exceptional regional talent across the arts.
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From sculpture to poetry, dance to home-made percussion, it was all on show in Victoria Park, the Town Hall and Presbyterian Church on Saturday.
Even better, the weather was absolutely perfect for visitors to enjoy the performances and something to eat.
"We are so pumped, we really are," festival director Rob Shannon said.
"Firstly the weather, we couldn't have asked for more.
"All the acts were absolutely sensational, all the community elements were really strong.
"The venues were sensational."
Saturday's festival saw a raft of changes from previous festivals: a shift to winter and a sharing of events around a group of venues.
The Forbes Services Memorial opened events Thursday evening with the screening of the documentary, Island of the Hungry Ghosts about Christmas Island.
"It was heart-rending," festival organiser Ro Burns said. "Everyone should watch that film."
Town Hall was transformed into the FLOW art gallery, with artists attending the Arts OutWest Arts Huddle on Friday night before the gallery opened to the public on Saturday and again Sunday.
Harold Street was closed to traffic and home to markets and food vendors on Saturday, while entertainers took the stages in Victoria Park and the Presbyterian Church throughout the afternoon.
From the River Spirit cultural arts performers to the Forbes College for Seniors Singers, the poetry slam to the return of Richard Morgan to play the pipe organ in Town Hall, there was a diversity of entertainment.
Kristen's Dance Studio performers wowed the crowd, as did the young percussionists from Bedgerabong school with their wacky instruments.
In Town Hall and later in the festival lounge, local songwriter Lilly Gaffaney had the audience spellbound.
Former Forbes resident Richard Morgan even returned for the day to play the pipe organ.
Wiradjuri culture was woven through the event as local David Acheson shared Wiradjuri language, the River Spirit dancers shared song an dance and Larry Brandy shared stories.
Town Hall featured a beautiful mix of works by regional arts, including several who have achieved international recognition.
It was extraordinary for Forbes to host such an exhibition, Ro Burns said, and Steven Cavanagh from Arts OutWest did a brilliant job of bringing it all together.
Friday night's opening and Arts OutWest "arts huddle" was also a huge success, with the opportunity to hear from the artists themselves.
