Moama Anglican Grammar Drumline kicked off the free entertainment, wowing the crowd with their rhythmic skills, as did the Echuca College Year 12 student band, which performed throughout the afternoon.
Students from Suzanne’s School of Ballet and Echuca Ishinryu Karate also kept the crowds impressed.
While basketball lovers took part in some on-court action, with the Echuca Basketball Association running drills in between their shoot out competitions.
There was free craft at the Epicentre Epic Kids Craft Stall, while the 1st Echuca Scouts provided free garden games (and kept the snow cones flowing) and Coolabah Turf offered some free totem tennis fun.
The local emergency services teams were also on display, with fans of all ages getting up close to their favourite vehicles and crew.
Pop-up food stalls from Monkee and Co and Shebani’s were a sell-out success, with many locals coming just for the food.
The rock climbing wall and laser tag kept the big kids occupied, while for the littlies, the Dookie Lions Club train, the animal nursery and the Beechworth Bakery Cookie Decorating stall were top of the list.
And young and old enjoyed a spread of fete favourites organised by Echuca East students and teachers, from apple-bobbing and donut-on-a-string to water pistols and the infamous jaffa bash.
First-time organisers Chelsea Dridan and Jodi Ujimoto (who pulled the smash hit event together in just eight weeks) said it could not have happened without extensive collaboration with, and donations from, the local business community.
‘‘Thank you to all the generous local businesses and organisations who contributed in so many ways, and in particular to Century 21, which was the fete’s platinum sponsor,’’ Jodi said.
‘‘Century 21 team members were on hand at the fete helping out and Beau Lyon drew the monster raffle.
‘‘Funds raised from the fete will be put towards improvements to the school’s outdoor learning and play spaces to encourage active learning and lifestyles, including the building of a new roofed bike enclosure.’’