Festival project manager Alison David said beautiful weather and a parade of 80 to 100 vehicles started the 11th annual festival off well.

"We had great crowds and some of the floats in the parade set a benchmark with hours and even weeks of preparation going into them," she said.

On Saturday afternoon the crowds gathered at the parks for stalls and were entertained on the stage by a number of musicians and singers performing music to suit all tastes.

Ms David said Peter Stanley – billed as the human jukebox because he knows all the good songs – as well as Pedro Souza, a jazz singer and music teacher in Armidale, got the ball rolling.

Two Right, with Howard Randell and Kay Jeffrey, added a mix of modern country to the atmosphere.

"The UNE fireworks display with the Father Anthony of Holy Smoke fireworks was a fantastic display," Ms David said.

"The St Kilda Hotel held a battle of the bands contest while the Ex Services Club held a Ceilidh, which was a

great night of Gaelic

entertainment."

Yesterday the festival had its first cycling race through the streets of the city followed by a relaxing wind down with the Armidale Youth Orchestra performing at a garden gala concert.