South Coast Register general manager Rachael Thornett said the day was a success, despite numbers being slightly down on last year.

“It was a very good turnout, given there were four other events within an hour’s radius all competing for crowds on the day,” she said.

Mrs Thornett estimated the team gave out 300 show bags within the first two hours of the expo.

“I was very pleased with the turnout and the weather – although the winds may have kept people away,” she said.

One thing the winds were without a doubt responsible for was the escape of gold sponsor Twin Waters Estate’s Burt the Giant Blue Duck.

“It got loose and went flying up the road,” Mrs Thornett said.

“It stopped traffic and it was quite a spectacle. No one was injured though.”

Despite Burt’s determination to get airborne, his escapade wasn’t the number one highlight of the day.

“The two most popular things on the day had to be Matilda’s Farmyard Animals and Gail [Comber] from DeanSwift Books – her book readings are legendary and she certainly didn’t disappoint,” Mrs Thornett said.

Additionally, the day helped raise a lot of money for Variety the Children’s Charity.

“We are very grateful for the community’s support,” Mrs Thornett said.

“And platinum sponsors Kiddywinkles raised $1030 in their giant raffle for Noah’s Ark.”