THE overwhelming success of Wednesday night’s Young Entertainers in the Street Festival (YESFest) became clear when a crowd of more than 200 people cried out in protest as the event came to a close.
Young and old (but mostly young) festival-goers packed McCallum street for the inaugural festival, which saw young artists proving that youth is certainly no barrier to talent.
Swan Hill Rural City Council performing arts director Adrian Corbett said crowd had witnessed some amazing performances.
“I’m happy,” he said.
“Tonight has been something we can all be proud of.”
Rain threatened the event several times, but the grey skies were content to only splutter and at no point was the event in danger of washing out.
While young musicians were the centrepiece of the night, the festivities also included a barbeque, photo booth, face painting and a climbing wall.
The imposing height of the climbing wall was no obstacle for 11-year-old Amy Lauer.
“It’s really fun,” she said, before she scampered to the wall’s peak.
Elsewhere, sumo wrestling battles and padded sword fights were valiantly fought, to the delight of many participants and onlookers.
But it was the music that glued the festival together, and the performances did not disappoint.
Local musicians Bonny Findlay and Brodie Gleeson performed for an enthralled crowd, playing a selection of covers and original material.
Green Day and Jet covers were expertly played by local band Young Guns, while Barham solo artist Sean McConnell soulfully performed with his six-string.
Then, as the clock struck 8pm, it was time for the main act: Australian rock-band Stonefield.
Delays and false starts beset the start of Stonefield’s performance, giving the headline act an organic and classic concert vibe.
At one point, the stage was abandoned entirely and it almost appeared as if the show might not begin.
But just as toddlers in the crowd nodded off and many watches were checked, drums blasted from the main stage and the Findlay sisters took to the stage and stormed out their first track.
The crowd responded well throughout Stonefield’s entire performance and a mob of youngsters even brought out glow sticks and a dance routine during the band’s big hit Through the Clover.
As their set drew to a close, Stonefield’s lead singer Amy Findlay told the crowd how amazing they had been and promised to return to Swan Hill soon.
Fairfax Festival committee member Caitlyn Barclay said that, after it was all said and done, the expected attendance of 200 people had been easily exceeded.
“We had to restock the entrance vouchers,” she said.
“It’s been great to watch people come in — when they see the festival their eyes light up.”
Fellow committee member Emily Noonan said she felt the night had been a roaring success.
“It was an amazing night and people should come along to the Fairfax Festival Gala to see more fantastic performances.”
