With the temperature barely above zero degrees, the opening night of the Bathurst Winter Festival certainly bore the brunt of its namesake weather conditions.
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But it didn't stop many members of the Bathurst community to enjoy event 'a little bit differently' on Saturday, with the new drive-in cinema at Mount Panorama and expansive illumination setup enticing audiences to beat the winter chill.
Over 100 cars crowded Mount Panorama's pit complex to view the drive-in cinema's opening public double feature: The Notebook and Dirty Dancing.
Bathurst mayor Bobby Bourke said the response to the festival's opening night was enthusiastic.
"It was a great opportunity to enjoy a cold winter night in Bathurst," Cr Bourke said.
"I sent my granddaughter to the drive-in cinema with some friends and they had nothing but positive things to say about it."
"The drive-in cinema will be especially special for the region's younger population, as many of them may never have been to one before."
Cr Bourke was on hand to switch on the illuminations on Saturday night, and said it was pleasing to see a host of small groups turn out to take in the colours.
"There was a crowd on hand watching the illuminations start up and the Bathurst Court House looked brilliant," he said.
"A lot of people stuck around to check out the new illumination installations along Keppel and George streets, and I hope they managed to visit some of our local businesses on their travels."
"In addition, the glamping event at the Bathurst Rail Museum was well received, with the whole venue booked out and many people taking part in an inventive new attraction."
The new locations for illuminations are at 84 George Street, 99 Keppel Street, 173 George Street, Tremain's Mill and Doppio.
While admitting the festival may not attract the same crowds as in previous years due to the impact of COVID-19, Cr Bourke said the event's revamp will allow the community to enjoy the colour and vibrancy in some form.
"It's a testament to the outstanding work of Bathurst Regional Council's events staff and our local businesses that we've been able to push forward with the event this year," he said.
"I'm looking forward to seeing what the next couple of weeks will bring, and council is continuing to work with the local community to rejuvenate the business sector."
The Bathurst Winter Festival will run until Sunday, July 19.
For more information, visit www.bathurstwinterfestival.com.au.
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Sam Bolt
"I'm not in the business of telling people what to do. I'm much more in the business of describing things, situations and stuff like that and leaving them out there, and you can make up your minds about them." -Nick Cave
"I'm not in the business of telling people what to do. I'm much more in the business of describing things, situations and stuff like that and leaving them out there, and you can make up your minds about them." -Nick Cave
