Rylstone StreetFeast celebrated its 18th birthday on Saturday, having long since achieved the original mission of putting the town "on the food and wine map".
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Over 400 enjoyed the long lunch catered by Rachel McCarthy, with more also a part of the event through the market stalls and taking in the live entertainment.
A bus run from Mudgee to bring people in for the festivities was well utilised and something that organisers will be looking at again for next year.
Rylstone StreetFeast Inc's Peter Monaghan said that with the cutting of the cake for the milestone year there was some reflection.
"The whole idea for StreetFeast came along as a way to put Rylstone onto the food and wine map, from John Metcalf and Kim Currie and the first committee," he said.
"It was our 18th year and we were quite pleased for the first time to have Paul Toole and Andrew Gee join us, as well as Deputy Mayor Sam Paine, they were all very impressed with how the community and volunteer groups bring it all together.
"Close to $10,000 would've been donated to the various community groups that helped us on the day. We had; Clandulla and Ilford/Running Stream Rural Fire Brigades; Kandos Museum; all three schools at Rylstone and Kandos, who put on performances; and Mudgee Junior Wombats, who helped bring the food out. It's a community event and we're a not-for-profit organisation, so that's what it's all about."
Mr Monaghan added, "the reports back so far say we've ticked all of the boxes and the feedback has been extremely positive".
The reports back so far say we've ticked all of the boxes and the feedback has been extremely positive.
"It would've been one of the best, we were extremely lucky once again with the weather and everything went according to plan. We set for 414 and I think that's probably going to be the future number, last year we had 456 and it was just a bit too big," he said. "I've heard back from the wineries and they said they've had a better year this year - even with less people dining."
He encourages attendees to keep sending through their feedback - good and bad - as they look to keep improving the event into the future, which is secure for at least another two years with Bowdens Silver on board as naming rights sponsor.
