Lakes Entrance was bustling over the weekend as the Hooked on Lakes Entrance festival and Lakes Entrance Events’ inaugural dry regatta invitational, which included a twilight market, drew people from across the state to the seaside town.

Organisers from both events combined forces to ensure everyone would have a memorable Saturday.

Lakes Entrance Events president, Alison Brewer, said the day “was a bit of old-fashioned fun”.

“It was really good. I was more involved with the regatta so I am not sure how the food tasting went, but from what I could see the fishing sure looked like a lot of fun,” she said.

“All the stalls at the market were well attended, while everyone enjoyed the live entertainment.

“The trial of the regatta went great. There were lots of kids and hopefully down the line it can be a great standalone event.

“Everyone seemed to be having a lot of fun. The feedback I have had so far seems to indicate that.

“As the event went on more and more people came to watch and participate. It seem liked everyone got involved. It was quite funny, as a few adults got involved as well.

“The adults enjoyed watching the kids have fun, while the kids seem to enjoy watching the adults struggle.”

Alison thanked Neil Bubb and Ron Swann for coming up with the idea after getting inspiration from the Henley on Todd Regatta, which runs annually in Alice Springs. The pair also built boats for the event.

For those that missed out on the fun of the dry regatta, don’t worry as Alison revealed that they are planning to bring it back.

“We are having a meeting tonight (Monday) and are looking at doing it over Easter,” she said.

“After that we are going to decide whether it will be an annual event and which long weekend we will have it in. We want to make it an annual event on the same weekend so it is easier for people to come to.”

There was plenty on offer for the seafood lovers with seafood cooking demonstrations by critically acclaimed Peruvian chef, Alejandro Saravia, of Pastuso, in Melbourne, and Sam Mahlook, of Miriam’ s Seafood Restaurant, in Lakes Entrance, delighting taste buds.

The Lakes Entrance Fisherman’ s Co-Op offered fish filleting and preparation tips with tasting samples and talks about the different species on offer, while commercial fishers tied up to the wharf explained their practices and life at sea.

A free Fishcare ‘come and try’ fishing clinics for children and families was popular alongside market stalls and food stands, which were selling freshly cooked seafood and local produce.

Local artists, Hanh Phan and Ro Slyfox, added to the family-friendly atmosphere as the first public broadcast of the Victorian Fisheries Authority’ s Fishiest 100 playlist proved to be a hit.

PICTURED: Seafood cooking demonstrations by critically acclaimed Peruvian chef, Alejandro Saravia, of Pastuso, in Melbourne, were just some of the many highlights of the Hooked on Lakes Entrance festival on Saturday, which ran in conjunction with Lakes Entrance Events’ inaugural dry regatta invitational.