Great weather brought out record entrants and terrific crowds.

More than 250 entrants gathered over the three days to display a huge range of heritage machinery to record crowds who at one stage created a bottleneck in Lowes Mount Road while entering the rally grounds.

The Highlands Steam and Vintage Fair Grand Rally was sensational with vehicles proceeding in opposite directions of Oberon Street simultaneously led by Highlands Pipe Bands. This caught many spectators by surprise and certainly added to the procession.

Traders reported great business with inquiries well in excess of prospects. Oberon Leagues Sport and Recreation Club was very happy with trade.

Oberon Tarana Heritage Railway, Oberon Museum and Oberon RSL Sub Branch museum all reported significant increases in visitor numbers during the weekend.

Local businesses reported brisk trade with the shopping centre at times looking like Pitt Street in Sydney.

Many thousands of visitors were in Oberon during the weekend and the fair’s multi-day passes allowed spectators to come and go from the Fair as often as they wanted. They were able to ride the Summer Festival bus at no cost and visit all other attractions presented in town without the worry of transport or parking.

The Highlands Steam and Vintage Fair management team had taken a risk in putting together a village-wide presentation of a heritage weekend and including the village in it’s activities, but it certainly paid off to Oberon.

“I believe the weekend of activities proved beyond doubt that if local associations are prepared to pitch in and work together harmoniously, Oberon can produce a festival second to none and all groups benefit.

“From what I hear, every section of Oberon benefited,” rally organiser David McMurray said.