There was dust, gusty winds and even rain on Saturday, but there were also smiling faces everywhere you looked as hundreds of visitors enjoyed a long lunch on the Lachlan River.
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Tourism award-winning Grazing Down the Lachlan took everything Mother Nature could throw at it, and was a success.
Grazing chair Wendy Muffet said high winds and poor visibility were a concern during the early morning set-up, but once the winds dropped and they knew Grazers would be safe it was all systems go.
And some 900 guests, about 60 per cent from outside our region, embraced the experience.
"I'm just so full of admiration for everybody involved, the caterers, the team, the guests," Mrs Muffet said.
"We're getting the most magnificent feedback.
"We've had dozens of people saying the food was the best ever, so that 'slightly daggy Australiana, with a twist' was really well received.
"I think the food and beverages were particularly well matched this year, and the non-alcoholic options were really well received too."
The event's 'war on waste' was again enormously successful, with the site impressively clean on Saturday night after plates, cups, cutlery and serviettes were returned.
"We are so grateful to guests for taking that on board," Mrs Muffet said.
"It's a huge saving for the event - and there's no rubbish."
Meet the Makers, the "amazing grazing" breakfast on Templar Street and cultural celebrations at the Wiradjuri Dreaming Centre also all continue to grow, part of the organisers' strategy to broaden the event's reach into the community and give visitors good reason to stay in town longer.
Grazers took the opportunity to hear more about the produce, event and Wiradjuri culture at SYLO on Friday night, and Templar Street made a beautiful plaza Sunday morning with entertainment by Em Pavey and Larry Brandy.
The Wiradjuri Dreaming Centre hosted River Spirit Cultural Arts, Toyota Star Maker Quest winner Todd Williams and traditional weaving with Orange Fibre Artists.
"Visitors were truly engaged with the cultural offering this year, and building those relationships is core to Grazing," Mrs Muffett said.
