“We had a huge crowd yesterday and a beautiful day,’’ music director Mike Ruggles said.

The Indonesian gamelan orchestra from Bendigo opened the performances on the main stage in the morning.

Artists from as far afield as Western Australia and Queensland shared the stage throughout the day until 6pm, but performances continued in the Guinness tent until about 1am.

Visitors could wander between a number of venues providing a host of different styles and varieties of musical performances.

Mr Ruggles said the festival was noted not only for the fine performers it attracted, but its multi-venue program.

“You get a contrast of the venues,’’ he said.

“We use a lot of the old churches and buildings in town, and put styles in them that really suit the venues.

“People tend to like the variation.

“You could get a hundred people at the main stage, but move into a smaller venue with about 10 or 15 people and it becomes more intimate.’’

Workshops, street sessions and a children’s tent with craft activities ran across the weekend.

Another favourite attraction was the wandering Connies, locals dressed up as the old-style tram conductors, who acted as tour guides and entertainment - particularly for the children.

This year’s program concludes today at the Maldon Hotel.