The third Penola Coonawarra Acoustic Music Gathering held in Penola on the weekend was an outstanding success.


More than 1000 people attended the event which saw 49 national and international musicians take to the stage, culminating with seven concerts along with a variety of workshops.


Gathering secretary Anne Miller said numbers were slightly down on last year, which she attributed to a change of date.


“The feedback we have had back from the performers has been overwhelming,” she said.


They just loved Penola and expressed how friendly everyone was.


“The music ranged from bluegrass through to folk, country, celtic, roots and soul as well as a ukulele performance.


All songs were original and the quality of the lyrics was sensational.”


The gathering kicked off with a Beatles sing a long in Rymill Hall where 150 people sang, clapped and jived which set the scene for the event.


Another popular section was the poetry/songwriting competition based on a poem by Adam Lindsay Gordon, which attracted 12 entries.


In a very close competition, Scott Thomson from NSW took out the $250 major prize.


All the concerts in both halls were well supported as was the open mic section.


People visiting spent thousands of dollars in the Penola district according to numerous Penola business owners.


Sadly it may be the last gathering to be held in Penola unless there are people out there who would be happy to keep it going as organisers Leigh and Anne Miller and the committee have called it quits.


“It is a big job to organise and as we are getting older the job becomes harder,” Ms Miller said.


“We have thoroughly enjoyed co-ordinating the past three gatherings and would love to see some younger people take over the task.”