LAKE Meran came alive over the weekend as residents and visitors turned out for a day of festivities by the water.
Despite slightly lower attendance than last year, the event was hailed as a resounding success, with organisers receiving lots of positive feedback.
Weather conditions proved ideal with the sun shining and a refreshing breeze off the lake as families and visitors settled into the foreshore.
The committee’s efforts to create an inviting layout paid off with plenty of positive community feedback.
Live music was on offer throughout the day, with performances by Elias Lanyon and The Side Hustle receiving plenty of attention from the audience.
Food and beverage vendors were also in abundance y offering a variety of options to suit all tastes.
From sizzling barbecues to refreshing ice-cold drinks, there was something for everyone.
One of the biggest attractions was ‘Grumpy’, a sculpture of an Eastern Long Necked Turtle, handcrafted by artist Moz Moresi.
Taking around 550 hours to complete, the artwork left visitors impressed.
Beyond the festivities, the event highlighted the importance of Lake Meran and the surrounding area.
The festival was organised and run by the foreshore committee and local volunteers to raise money for the maintenance and improvements of the foreshore and its facilities.
The event wouldn’t have been possible without the sponsorship from local businesses as well as some grant funding from the Gannawarra Shire to help make the day a success.
Lake Meran foreshore committee member Chloe Lanyon said it was a success.
“The performances by Elias Lanyon and The Side Hustle were thoroughly enjoyed by all and it was great to see people dancing this year,” she said.
“The food and beverage options were plentiful
“Everyone was very fascinated by Grumpy; you could spend hours looking at it and still see something new each time.
“He will certainly be a drawcard for the lake bringing visitors from all over.
“We would like to thank all our volunteers both on the day and in organising this event over the past year.
“A huge shoutout to our sponsors, we really appreciate all the local businesses that have helped with both financial donations as well as goods and services to help make the event a success.
“The interest in the longevity of Lake Meran as a special place for people to visit is something our committee cherish, because we know the value Lake Meran has in the district.”
