The 2010 Gemfest event was one of our most successful festivals to date with well over 5000 attendees, of whom many were returning visitors and exhibitors.
The range of exhibitors was extensive, ranging from gem and jewellery dealers, lapidary and equipment suppliers, information, clothing, artwork, beauty products, house and garden innovations and many more too numerous to mention.
The event was also very fortunate to again secure the support of many enthusiastic volunteers, some new, but most were welcomed veterans from the previous Gemfest festivals. They included locals and visitors who come to the Gemfields every year for winter and to find their ‘fortunes’, or at least get fit trying.
The caterers were kept busy feeding the thousands of visitors as well as the exhibitors, with many positive comments received about the quality food, coffee and variety of catering available. The ice-cream vendors were certainly kept busy on the warmer days.
The introduction of the new children’s area proved a popular choice with children and their families, especially the playground, face painting, hula hoop making, juggling and Acro-balancing workshops.
The Jewels of the Outback Exhibition and fossil displays were well also well attended, as was the live performances by local and visiting artists. Thousands of people sat in the shaded area to enjoy the live entertainment during the Festival, with music varying from country and western, easy listening and bush balladeers. Highlights included the Roving Street Theatre – Hey Amigos and Anticircuz Matter who toured the Gemfest area, entertaining both visitors and vendors alike.
Prior to Gemfest, a number of jewellery workshops were held and well attended by enthusiastic participants keen to start this new hobby. Added to the demonstrations of cutting of stones and woodturning during the actual Festival, and there was something for everyone at Gemfest 2010.
The four Gemfields towns of Anakie, Rubyvale, Sapphire and Willows helped make this year’s Gemfest a true success with a month-long calendar of activities, special events and workshops which all proved very popular. We are all looking forward to Gemfest 2011!