AN idea some councillors had reservations about turned out to attract a lot of interest during the Bathurst 1000 period.
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Bathurst Regional Council had to get a bit more creative with its off-track events in October due to public health orders and the strict COVID safety plan in place at Mount Panorama.
The usual transporter parade, driver signing session and Saturday Street Fair all had to be cancelled, with those activities replaced by ones that could be carried out in line with the health restrictions.
A new addition to the schedule was the VERTO Scavenger Hunt, which was run online via an app.
The hunt had 45 'challenges' for people to complete around the Bathurst region, including a challenge in each village, which encouraged people to explore new places.
The majority of the people who participated were from Bathurst, but there were also participants from Orange, Portland and Oberon.
Council gave out 30 prizes to participants.
"I was actually surprised by how many participants you had for the VERTO Scavenger Hunt. I have to say, I wasn't really thinking you'd get this many people, so I'm pleasantly surprised to see there was 1069 participants and 92 per cent were [from] 2795," councillor Jacqui Rudge said.
"I just think that is a great outcome. I have to say, I was doubtful how good it would go, but that's excellent."
Other off-track events for the Bathurst 1000 included a window display competition, a colouring in competition and the Legendary Moments Dinner.
The dinner had a reduced crowd, just 70 people, and no drivers appeared in person. Instead, council played pre-recorded interviews with current drivers Jamie Whincup Scott McLaughlin, David Reynolds, Chaz Mostert and Will Davison.
Councillors praised council's events team for what it was able to deliver under tough circumstances.
"Credit where credit is due, they've really thought outside the square," deputy mayor Ian North said.