The 25,000-plus patrons at Ballarat's inaugural Spilt Milk festival provided a huge boost to a number of traders across the weekend, but there's a few lessons to be learned for next year.
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Many people on social media commented on the busier streets and polite young people visiting during the day, while late-night venues had large lines out the front following the festival.
According to City of Ballarat mayor Ben Taylor, festival organisers have the option to continue working with the city "for additional years", after reviewing the first year, but he said from an economic point of view, it had been good for everyone involved.
Businesses and the hospitality industry were "very happy with the weekend", he added.
"I went out and all the cafes were full for breakfast," he said.
"Accommodation booked pretty much straight away, and a lot of people took advantage and stayed two nights rather than one night."
Commerce Ballarat chairman Nick Thurlbeck said festival organisers had done a great job in engaging with traders beforehand, advising them on how things worked in Canberra and what to prepare for.
"It played out as they thought," he said.
"Those venues who had organised something special for later in the evening to cater for people leaving the festival did well with their trade.
GALLERY: Fly above Spilt Milk
"The reality is, organisers did a tremendous job trying to get everyone prepared, but until it's been and gone ... (then) traders have the opportunity to reflect and identify opportunities for next year."
City of Ballarat deputy mayor Belinda Coates attended the festival - her highlight was Ocean Alley "at the perfect time of day" - and said it was an "incredible benefit" for the town.
"It's showing Ballarat can support that size of event, it's really positive and hopefully Commerce Ballarat and businesses noticed the injection of people into the CBD and across the city over the weekend," she said.
"There's been a lot of community support for it as well."
While the rain put a bit of a dampener on some Fringe Benefits events on Friday night, Cr Coates said there was still plenty of interest at the Bridge Mall night noodle market and the Doveton Street car park rooftop gig.
"It's a beautiful space up there, and what it's done for people is seeing what's possible up there - it's a beautiful across the city view," she said, hinting at other potential uses.
Mr Thurlbeck said he was sure Fringe Benefits would continue to expand, should Spilt Milk return.
"It was executed well," he said.
"Fringe Benefits will no doubt get bigger and better if Ballarat's known to be putting on a great event on the Friday night."
Spilt Milk organisers have been approached for comment.
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