Edendale's Pioneer Tavern was so busy during Crank-Up weekend, staff ran out of glasses, manager Sheree Tarrant said.
The tavern, along with a host of businesses throughout the region, is toasting another successful Crank-Up weekend, which brought thousands of people into the region and had substantial financial spin-offs.
Pioneer Tavern patrons were four and five deep at the bar waiting for service at times, Mrs Tarrant said.
Not only did staff run out of glasses but they were rushed off their feet keeping shelves stocked, she said.
‘‘It was just crowded. It [the weekend] was great, it was really big,'' Mrs Tarrant said.
Edendale's population began to swell on Friday when locals and visitors lined the streets for the Crank-Up parade. After the parade, people poured into the tavern.
Among the crowd were Crank-Up celebrity guests ‘‘the Mad Butcher'' Peter Leitch and sports commentator Keith Quinn, she said.
Two tavern staff were not able to work during the weekend, so it meant that friends and Mrs Tarrant's husband were roped into helping behind the bar.
The tavern's new motels were opened just in time for the event and they were fully booked, she said.
Edendale Dairy owner Jamie Agnew said Crank-Up was traditionally the busiest weekend of the year for his business and this year was no exception. Saturday was on a par with other years but the blustery weather conditions on Sunday resulted in a slightly quieter day for the dairy, Mr Agnew said.
‘‘It's a really good weekend,'' Mr Agnew said.
People from throughout the country had spread the message about the event and that meant other people had been inspired to attend, he said.
It was not only Edendale businesses that captured the financial rewards from the weekend.
Gore Motor Camp manager Molly Ross said the camp was fully booked during the weekend. In all, about 100 people stayed at the camp, Mrs Ross said.
Some people made forwardbookings at the motor camp and kept coming back ‘‘year after year'', she said.
Some tourists staying at the motor camp who did not originally intend to go to the Crank-Up decided to visit the event and were so impressed they stayed an extra night so they could go back on Sunday, she said.
‘‘It's good for Gore; there was lots of good feedback,'' Mrs Ross said.
Gore's Capri Restaurant owner Steven Tutty said the business was extremely busy on Friday when people were travelling down to the Crank-Up and then again on Sunday. Mr Tutty said the event was ‘‘marvellous'' for the district.
Charlton Motel owner Diane Young said the motel was fully booked during the weekend and most of the bookings were for the Crank-Up. Bookings were on a par with previous years, she said.
