$3 million boost to economy
AN estimated 30,000 visitors helped make the 10th annual Jumpers and Jazz in July Festival the best to date.
Warwick Art Gallery director Karina Devine said this year's event was the biggest without a doubt.
"I am immensely proud of how the Warwick community has gone with the event," she said.
Ms Devine has been involved in the past eight festival and has seen J and J grow from half a dozen events to 85.
"We have had twice as many visitors to the art gallery as last year," she said.
"The three events in the art gallery precinct were massive."
Warwick Tourism and Events CEO Tracy Vellacott said a few years ago, Queensland Events research showed 20,000 people visited town for the festival.
"That figure would now be in excess of 30,000 with close to a $3 million boost to the local economy," Mrs Vellacott said.
As for the events, Ms Devine's favourite was the official launch and announcement of tree jumper winners.
"The level of artistry in our 120 tree jumpers was outstanding," she said.
For Mrs Vellacott, her highlight was the buzz outside the Warwick Town Hall on Saturday as group after group performed.
"The visitors appreciated the quality of the jazz acts, I have tried to lift the bar a bit every year with the jazz music," she said.
Yesterday, there were more than 200 market stalls at Picnic in the Park, in Leslie Park.
Toowoomba resident Kristine Robbs and daughter Ashlie, of Brisbane, were at the festival for the first time.
"We came on Friday and loved it, the smoke in the chimneys on Friday night reminded me of country towns in southern New South Wales," Mrs Robbs said.
"I love the community spirit in Warwick; we will be back next year."
The Historical Motorcycle Club of Queensland, Warwick area, hosted its 21st Frostbite Rally at the weekend. The group lobbed into Leslie Park for an hour yesterday.
Club member Louis Van Slobbe said the riders rode to Swan Creek on Saturday, camped at Allora Showgrounds on Saturday night and rode two different routes to Warwick yesterday.
Already visitors are booking accommodation for next year's festival, on July 17-27