This year’s event has been haunted by cancellations but, according to event organisers, local businesses stepped up at the last minute to fill the hole and make the day successful.

“It ended up being a very good day, we’re very happy with it,” Cowell Chamber of Commerce spokesman Shaun Hornhardt said. “Crowds were equal to last year and the stall holders were fantastic and very happy with the results. We had visitors from everywhere, even Sydney. I thought the crab racing went off fantastically and the entertainment was excellent.”

Festival organisers were informed last week that the EP Farmers and Fishermens Market planned for the long weekend Saturday would not be held at Cowell, while the sideshow and jumping castle failed to show up on the day.

“We had some cancellations and some concerns the week before but the weather, in the end, added to the atmosphere and it all went well,” Shaun said.

There were three overall winners in the crab catching competition that ran from January 1, for nine weeks – first prize Veronica Havelberg ($1000), second Lachlan Mader and Josh Smith ($500), while third prize went to Ken Martin ($250).

This year’s competition had a new format and it was very successful, according to organiser Kierran ‘Buzz’ Fiegert.

“More than 200 people joined the competition this year which we were happy with.”

Organisers thanked the District Council of Franklin Harbour and the Lions Club of Cowell for their sponsorship and practical support of the festival.

“The council helped us a lot – we need to give them a big thankyou – and the Lions Club who supported us with the markets on Sunday, as well as Peter Goers for attending,” Shaun said.

“Next year we’ll look to attract more food stalls and more events. Our goal next year will be to focus on organising everything locally.

“Last weekend has been a trial run for how we can do it better next year, but it worked well alongside the markets and we’re going to continue with that format.”