Co-ordinator Kristin Dunn said the day was a triumph in red, white and green as Gunnedah went Italian for the event on Saturday at the Kennel Club Grounds.

“We were very happy with the crowd,” Ms Dunn said. “I think there was a little bit of confusion with the counters, but it was around 5500 to 6000.

“The weather was perfect and there didn’t seem to be any dramas.”

Ms Dunn said the word had spread via Facebook and online this year, with visitors travelling from Sydney and even Canberra to take part in the celebration of the Namoi Valley’s fresh produce.

“A lot of people from outside Gunnedah came,” she said. “People are making it an annual event to catch up with their country cousins.”

Ms Dunn said there had been a lot of positive feedback about the event, and there was a voracious demand for the food, with some stands running out by 1.30 or 2pm.

A new pasta vendor from Tamworth proved a success, as did the addition of a local provider for the sausages - Namoi River Meats. About 60kg of Italian-style snags had disappeared by 2pm.

Ms Dunn said the new meatball stand was also popular.

Organisers ordered extra pork for the porchetta this year, but the specialty dish still was cleaned up by the afternoon.

The festival is now in its sixth year and has become well-known as Gunnedah’s signature food event.

The day also featured entertainment for both adults and children, with Venetian mask making, the Comedia dell’Arte show, and face painting.

“We want to give a big thank you to all the volunteers who worked on Friday, Saturday and Sunday,” Ms Dunn said.

“It wouldn’t have happened without those people who gave up their time.”