It was a great return for the event, which had to be scrapped in 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Speaking to the Western Advocate on Sunday, coordinator Sandy Bathgate said it had been a busy weekend at the two locations, Bathurst Agricultural Research Station and Bathurst Showground.

Saturday was the event's biggest day, with more patrons then the entire event in 2019.

"The atmosphere was just wonderful - the kelpie pups were here barking, the smoke from the woodfires, the smell of the corn and then the horses' carts going around," Mr Bathgate said.

"The people were just fabulous. It was such a good day, very pleased, and everyone seemed to be very happy."

The event showcased skills, crafts and modes of transport from times gone by, including blacksmithing, woodcraft, stonemasonry, penny-farthing bicycles and carriages.

Mr Bathgate said his nine-year-old grandson was engrossed in the whip cracking activity, while he was quite drawn to the vintage motorcycles and the skills of the woodcarvers and stonemasons.

The Heritage Trades Trail was started in 2017, inspired by the Bathurst bicentenary celebrations two years earlier, and continues to build momentum year on year.

With 50 per cent of visitation now from people outside the 2795 postcode, the event is boosting tourism to Bathurst, as well as helping to keep some of the old crafts alive.

He hopes the event will continue to grow in years to come and has encouraged people to provide feedback so that can be used to make improvements.

"I hate to raise expectations without having the tools to meet them, but I think this event could kick on to have more variety of things happening, a greater number of artisans, more workshops - we had to restrict them this year because of COVID," Mr Bathgate said.

"... Please tell us what you think about it, come to our Facebook page and leave a comment, and look out for next year because we'd love to have you. Tell your friends."

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