Ballan Autumn Festival Association president Kevin Harper said each school captured the community essence and Pioneering Days theme so well that they could not just choose one best entry.

The market-like event attracted almost 9000 festival-goers on Sunday.

Mr Harper said added confidence in the committee’s move to keep the festival on Ballan’s main street, despite rising costs to close the road.

This was done with the backing of event sponsors and festival traders.

“The feedback from traders was great trading,” Mr Harper said. “Most of the success is from word-of-mouth, but largely it’s from the participation and support from the local community.”

Ballan Autumn Festival is more than 40 years’ strong.

The festival also features live music, carnival rides, wood-chopping competitions, vintage cars and machinery and a pet show.