One big weekend in Deni is done, and now attention turns to ensuring Easter is the economic success it usually is.
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After being cancelled in 2023 due to low ticket sales, the return of the Play on the Plains festival to the Deniliquin Festival Site was a colourful affair.
While numbers were lower than hoped, more than 1000 people made their way to the Conargo Plains for more than 10 hours of music and fun around the grounds.
With King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard choosing Deni for their only Australian performance in 2024, fans of the band came from all over the country to see them in action.
The appeal of the band - which now heads overseas on tours of South America, Europe and America for the rest of the year - even drew in international music fans.
The band’s drummer, Michael Cavanagh, who grew up in Deniliquin, was given a warm hometown welcome when first taking the stage on Saturday night.
Sharing the stage with King Gizzard was another band with local roots.
The Carp Factory is named after the Charlie Carp fertiliser factory here in Deniliquin and features three Deni lads - Sid Pearn, Will Keech and Sam Young.
Kita Alexander, Alex Lahey, Northeast Party House and Baker Boy rounded out the main stage artists.
Deniliquin also featured heavily on the B-stage, where a Battle of the Bands across three categories took place throughout the day.
Deniliquin’s junior band, The Groovy Dudes, won their section, while Deni’s band Anagram Riot and solo artist Izzy Pearn each placed third in their categories.
Play on the Plains general manager Vicky Lowry said while the weather did affect attendance and the number of people enjoying around the grounds entertainment offered on the day, everyone still had a great time.
“We would like to thank everyone who supported and attended the festival, braving the 38-degree temperatures,” Mrs Lowry said.
“Special thanks to the visitors who made up the majority of the crowd, travelling from overseas and interstate, so they did not miss the opportunity to see King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard performing their only Australian show for 2024.
“We were extremely disappointed with the support locally and from the region, but with only 1,100 people on site, the viewing experience was first class for ticket holders.”
Mrs Lowry said a lot of hard work went into securing world-class acts for the Deniliquin festival, which included a fantastic list of sponsors and volunteers.
“Thank you to our sponsors and supporters - the New South Wales Government, Edward River Council, Yield Insurance, CWS, Edith Elise, Murray Constructions, Deni Freighters, Tyndall Electrical and Essential Shearing - and the Battle of the Bands sponsors B.Green Construction, Provincial Wealth and Deniliquin Nextra.
“Also, a huge thank you to all our volunteers, emergency services and contractors - events don’t run without you.”
Deniliquin Business Chamber executive officer Kate Pitt said Play on the Plains was the punctuation mark on what appeared to be a busy long weekend for most local businesses.
While some local accommodation providers said visitor numbers were down on the same period last year, Ms Pitt said the Deniliquin CBD and retail and hospitality businesses seemed busy from Thursday last week until yesterday.
Ms Pitt said the businesses she spoke to yesterday reported being “fabulously busy”.
“Even when I was out getting a coffee, I could see that not all of our Victorian visitors had left yet,” Ms Pitt said yesterday.
“So we can certainly see that some decided to stay all three nights, and many appeared to have arrived in town as early as Thursday.
“We know the heatwave did keep some people away, and that includes people who may have attended Play on the Plains and missed an incredible event.
"The hospitality places also seemed to do a great trade, and hopefully it will lead to an even busier Easter in just a few weeks."
Deni and the district will put on a series of Easter events focusing on arts and culture, sports, markets, and more.
Ms Pitt encouraged the whole community to pitch in and ensure it was a big one for everyone.
"Now is the time for a little spruce up of the CBD and to get your windows decorated and filled with products and stock so we can really showcase what we have here.
“Our CBD is so attractive, and we need to take full advantage of it.
“From what I have heard so far, the accommodation sector is expecting a big Easter, and the chamber would urge local businesses to consider staying open longer for visitors and to start publicising those opening hours now.
“If we can all be proactive, everyone will benefit.”
Senior journalist