DESPITE a copycat event running in Gympie and shrinking budgets, Jumpers and Jazz organisers are confident the festival had exceeded the $2.5million boost it would normally inject into the local economy.

While final figures are still to been tallied for this year's festival, Destination Southern Downs interim general manager Tracy Vellacott said it provided an estimated boost of $2.5million to the local economy each year.

"I think we will exceed that this year," she said.

Mrs Vellacott pointed to a number of contributors to the success of this year's event.

"We have had nothing but excellent reviews on the Winter Dinner and the excellent food produced in the region," she said.

"There was more jazz than ever in the street. We boosted jazz in the street on the first Saturday and continued the downtown lounge initiative.

"Our tree jumpers were the best so far."

The success of Jumpers and Jazz is solely dependant on the support of volunteers, the council and sponsorship from local businesses, according to organisers.

With a small pool of volunteers, a small pool of staff and a sponsorship of less than $10,000, it can be tough going at times.

The program alone costs festival organisers $8000 to print, according to Mrs Vellacott.

Mrs Vellacott called on more support from local businesses that benefit from the festival.

"Some businesses are making a lot of money and they're not giving back in anyway," she said.

"We have to look at how we will sustain this festival financially into the future - the reality is we're dealing with shrinking budgets."

Today's Jumpers and Jazz has blossomed from the humble little event started as a way of rejuvenating the main street.

Bryson's Place owner Lynn Bryson was amongst the co-founders of the event 12 years ago, and said it continued to grow each year.

"The first year businesses looked at us like we were mad," she said.

"We got quite a lot of trees decorated - it grew and grew and it's gone on from there."

Mrs Bryson reflected on the circumstances that led to the festival's creation and the people involved in getting it there.

"When the council re-designed our street it really affected the businesses while the work was being done," she said.

"They dug up the foot paths and people were walking on planks.

"This particular day Audrey (the art gallery director at the time) came walking up the street to me and said we need to do something. "She said what do you think about jumpers on tree and I said what about Jumpers and Jazz?"

Planning for next year's festival is expected to start soon.