''I was struck this year by how many new people came along to the workshops - people new to the area and people who haven't come along before,'' one of the festival organisers, Kathi McLean, of Alexandra, said.
''There's also more youth getting involved, with the emphasis on some events aimed at them and activities organised by them. We wanted to bring more young people in, so we're thrilled about that.''
The festival included workshops, working artists in action, demonstrations, walks through the thyme, performing arts and exhibitions. The ''low key'' approach to delivering a message of sustainable living and cherishing the environment seemed to work well, Mrs McLean said.
''Really the whole thing, creativity [and] arts, mixed with sustainability seems to hit the right note. Creative people are happy to look outside the straight and narrow anyway, and are open to new thinking.''
The festival started as a celebration of the Central Otago landscape and was revamped in 2002 and widened into a celebration of arts and sustainability. The lunchtime concerts had attracted big crowds this year, Mrs McLean said.
''The fine weather throughout has been the icing on the cake. It's great to have the weather on our side and makes such a difference.''
