The 23rd Elvis Festival was another fantastic experience and as our Mayor said, it is the best yet, with 20,000 visitors and 15,000 watching the parade.

I can’t dispute those figures.  I’m just glad I didn’t have to count them!

As always, I spent much of my time asking people where they were from, had they been here before, and were they having a good time.

Not one negative response.

Most had been here previously, and most added that they had encouraged others to join them in coming back.

I came across many family groups - not with just two or three members, but 20 and 30.

And quite a few from overseas.

Everyone so happy and enjoying themselves.

It makes you feel very proud to see what has developed from humble beginnings right here in our town.

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This year’s festival tried a couple of new things and generally they were winners.

One I would like to mention - not to criticse - is the pedestrian-only boulevard and accompanying attractions.

I think it can definitely be fine-tuned.

People felt the town looked deserted (it certainly wasn’t of course, with 20,000 visitors here!)

But it was the perception of the wide open spaces (it was only the middle of the street because the footpaths were very busy).

As a result it lacked atmosphere because the attractions were spread out in side streets - not altogether.

I have long believed that if we are to set up a mall-type situation, it has to be done in the centre two blocks of town only - from The Square to the roundabout in Church Street.

The cry always goes out that the ‘top and bottom ends’ of the street have to be considered.

But the harsh relatity is that incorporating all four blocks is far too much, and besides, there are very few businesses in those other blocks which are compatible to the atmosphere trying to be generated.

Those who are suitable may need to operate a ‘pop-up’ store to be involved.

The newly created Memphis stage should also be placed in this area of the main street.

This year it was in front of the bus shelter, but numbers were very disappointing.  

It was out of the way, out of sight, and certainly not inviting of people.

I went along to see how it was all going and the numbers were very low indeed.

But the act I saw was top shelf - a juggler comedian.  He was fantastic.

Most festival-goers probably missed him because they didn’t know he was even there.

Other stalls and attractions were in Church Street on the other side of the main street.

Again out of the main area.

It would have been so much better to have had just the two blocks closed off - with the attractions, stage, coffee shops etc all in the one area.

The atmosphere would be wonderful.  Imagine sitting back and having a sandwich and a cuppa, while being able to enjoy the entertainment on the stage.

If it comes to that, why not set it up as a Busker Boulevard? All the busking in those two blocks.

It would be a busy precinct (that’s the word they use) which would provide plenty of entertainment away from Cooke Park.

Setting up everything in this area however, may not be simple - or possible - because of the street parade.

It’s unrealistic to set up on Friday, pull everything down for the street parade, and then set everything back up.

But I am also sure something can be worked out to ensure this welcome innovation is successful.

One local wag said generating the right atmosphere was very important.

“You don’t want people thinking the place is deserted.  Maybe we should forget the street parade.”

Heaven forbid!  

That’s the last I’ll hear of that.

A public meeting will be held in the next couple of weeks to look into ways the festival might be improved even further.

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We had the company of two Spaniards for the festival - and to say they had a ball would be a gross understatement (see picture).

‘Alex’ (Alejandro Sanroman Rodriguez) has been in the country about two years, and ‘Raf’ (Rafael Rodriguez Raposo) for about four months.

They found their way here (staying with family) and have vowed to return next year.

They purchased Elvis outfits and joined in just about every activity that was going on.

“We will stay for a week next time and cook the family a big Spanish feast,” Raf said (in his unique way), adding:  “I can say you thank you the rest or my live and don't would be enough. We are traveling for meet people like you.”

Our daughter Mel’s partner, Beto, who has only been out from Brazil for a couple of years, really enjoyed the chance to speak his own lingo once again.

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THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK:

“Experience is a hard teacher because she gives the test first, the lesson afterwards.”