Prepared business owners, hard-working staff and a complying community proved that it is possible for communities to continue to rejoice in events while maintaining the new COVID-19 safety measures.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Lazy River Estate owners Matthew and Kristen Smith were more than prepared when the new COVID-19 safety measures came into play on the weekend.
The estate hosted its annual winter markets on Sunday, the first day with the new rules, drawing hundreds of people to the event which hosted more than 110 stalls and vendors as well as live entertainment.
Mr and Mrs Smith said they had planned and prepared for a possible change of circumstance.
Having had a COVID-19 Safe Plan ready to roll out, the event was able to go ahead successfully with safety measures in place.
Part of the COVID-19 p included supplying "several hundred" face masks to attendees if they didn't already have their own.
The current COVID-19 rules for NSW includes it being mandatory to wear masks at all times when inside non-residential places and when at outdoor planned events.
- READ MORE: NSW records 30 new local COVID-19 cases
Team members also worked to ensure every single attendee checked-in to the event, with guests having been required to show their green tick confirmation, and to maintain social distancing.
Ten-year-old Sienna Lewis was one of the lucky attendees.
For Sienna, the mask wearing, sanitising, social distancing and check-ins didn't alter the events success, in fact, she liked it just the same.
"I'm having fun, I like it," she said.
Sienna was able to have a look at some of the stores with supervision as her parents manned their own stall Sage & Elm- a local baby and children's boutique .
"I've seen a lot of stalls with earrings," Sienna said.
"They're my favourite."
Lazy River Estate, a popular wedding venue in Dubbo, also held its Wedding Expo to coincide with the winter markets, also inviting future brides and grooms to its function centre for some wedding day inspiration.
Mrs Smith said it was good to see a lot of people coming out to the event despite the change of circumstances, following the safety measures and supporting all of the vendors that had put in a lot of preparation for the event.
She also praised her team at Lazy River Estate for the hard work they had put in to ensure the safety measures and that the event was a success.
The markets kicked off from 10am and finished at 3pm, hosting a steady crowd of guests across the five hours.
Do you want more Dubbo and regional news? Receive our free newsletters delivered to your inbox, as well as breaking news alerts. Sign up below ...