CLOUDY skies and showers did not stop children and adults from having a ball at the Redlands Easter Family Festival on Monday, with record crowds turning up to enjoy food, rides and entertainment.
Event organiser Peter Sutter said more than 20,000 people walked through the gates of the Redland Showgrounds with about 400 volunteers on hand to run the day.
More than 20 churches came together to hold the event and Mr Sutter said the festival was one of the ways they liked to give back to their community.
"It's a gift from the churches to our communities," he said.
He said feedback from the event had been positive and parents had appreciated a cost-efficient activity for the whole family on the last day of school holidays.
"(We reached) many people who were looking for an activity which might have suited the exhausted spending budget of many families," he said.
The festival got off to an uncertain start when strong wind and rain on Easter Sunday hampered set-up efforts but the threat of rain on Monday did not deter visitors.
"A short...shower didn't drive the people away either, but instead made everybody more cosy and friendly with each other," Mr Sutter said said.
A teacup ride, giant slide and bubble machine were popular with children and the rock climbing wall and archery tent that were reintroduced this year and had also been a hit.
Thousands of scones, sandwiches, donuts and sausages were offered to hungry visitors.
Mr Sutter said festival organisers had worked to embrace multiculturalism in the festival through its lineup of performers.
"We are all one people and need to embrace, love, support and respect each others' cultural backgrounds," he said.
At the children's tent, organised by Brett Saunders, kids watched performers such as Daniel Warlow and picked up some Easter chocolate and balloons.
Mr Sutter said he was thrilled by the turnout at the event and was looking forward to next year's festival.
