LAUNCESTON'S Win Collis can't spend just one day at Festivale - she has to go to all three.
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She walked in with her walking stick soon after the gates opened at 11am yesterday and it didn't take her long to soak up the festive atmosphere.
She wandered the grounds, taking in the colourful jugglers, the three girls on stilts, and smiled at them with appreciation as she enjoyed her time with family and friends.
But Mrs Collis said she couldn't ever just go to Festivale for one day.
``You need one day to soak up the atmosphere, the second to spread your wings a bit and the third to say goodbye,'' Mrs Collis said.
``I like the general feel of it.
``I can remember it when it was in the streets.
``It's good to start the year with Festivale.''
Mrs Collis was one of the thousands of people who attended yesterday's event in Launceston's City Park and it could have been her wish that stopped the rain.
``I'm just hoping the weather does what it did yesterday and it clears up,'' she said.
That wish came true about midday and helped slowly draw in more patrons.
By the time Pete Cornelius hit the frontline stage at 12.45pm the crowds were steady, music was echoing through the grounds and the food lines were growing longer, especially at the Christmas Hills Raspberry Farm stall and the Landfall stall.
The roving entertainers were proving the things to be watching, as many people stopped to get photos with their favourite, including the giant giraffe.
And while most patrons had their eyes on the gourmet food and wine, Toby Mullins, 4, and his little sister Tully, 2, were more interested in the cupcakes.
The two children from Mengha, in the North-West, spent the morning decorating cupcakes in Kids Kingdom.
``I put buttons on mine,'' Toby said.
``And I put Smartie buttons on mine too and icing,'' Tully said.
But after the pair finished making their cupcakes it wasn't only them who got to enjoy the taste.
``Mummy ate it,'' Tully said, giggling.
The entertainment continued into the night, with the biggest drawcard being Jon Stevens.
Stevens hit the stage about 9.30pm.
Festivale chairwomen Lou Clark said the first two days had been a great success.
``Everyone seems really relaxed and having a great time,''she said.
``The feedback from our stallholders is good, so that's always a positive sign.''
Festivale will continue today from 10am.