It may have been unseasonal weather in Lauder yesterday, but the show did go on at the ukulele festival.
Despite cold winds and snow-coated hills requiring scarves, beanies, warm jackets and high collars, a crowd of about 200 people arrived for the first act of the inaugural Lauder Ukulele Festival's market day and village fete.
Lauder Ukes launched the event about noon, on what event organiser Barry Bemrose described as ''a bloody good day''.
''The rain and the weather has caused a bit of angst over the past week but now it's possible to carry it off we are feeling good.''
Organisers had not expected such unseasonal weather in February, and were looking forward to better conditions forecast for today and tomorrow.
Mr Bemrose described the first event of the festival, a ''jam'' session on Thursday evening, as ''fantastic''.
''People let their hair down and had a good go at it. And that's worth a million bucks.
''That's what it's all about. If we can entertain everyone that's great.''
Fifteen ukulele groups performed at the village fete yesterday, and about 100 people have registered for workshops at the festival today.
Entertainment today will include a ''big sing'' between 3pm and 5pm and an open-mic night.
The festival concludes tomorrow.
