It's been 40 years since David Bowie filmed the video for his chart-smashing hit Let's Dance in the bar of George's Hotel in Carinda and the locals were not going to let the anniversary slip quietly by.

Carinda's volunteers were on their feet all through the October Long Weekend presenting an exhausting array of artists and activities for the Let's Dance Festival 2023.

There were rewarded by their biggest crowd ever for the event than ran from Friday evening through to late Sunday afternoon.

Almost 300 people had bought tickets before the gates even opened with an estimated crowd of up to 500 trekking out to get involved.

"The camping was very full, all twenty of our glamping tents were booked out well ahead," said committee member Bec McLellan. "The camp went right around the oval."

"Friday night was a hit with the trivia. The P&C did really well with about 100-150 people in the shed."

Also on Friday night, Tina Martini performed on the sportsground stage for about two hours.

"It was a really chilled vibe," said Bec. "People just sat around and soaked it up."

Saturday mornings market stalls and dog jumping competition were also very popular.

Seven, mainly local, dogs participated with a dog from a nearby property Lochinvar taking out the honours.

PHOTO: Jeff Anderson

With temperatures soaring that weekend Bec says the town pool "got a workout."

"The gates were left open for the event so it was a very good recovery spot for everyone."

"We had a nice breeze all day, it was quite hot but everyone seemed to enjoy the day," Bec said.

"We certainly sold a lot of water!"

Happy campers. PHOTO: Jeff Anderson

Their line-up of artists turned out to be a winning combination, although Bec had her personal favourites.

"The Viper Creek Band did an awesome job, really getting the crowd going," she said. "They set the scene really well for our tribute band Ashes to Ashes, who were great.

"Their re-enactment was really good. Some people said they preferred Ashes to Ashes at the pub - there's something about a pub setting and a 'Sunday sesh'.

"You can get up really close to them - people love that."

Publicity Officer Simone Lehnen agrees.

"I love the Sundays at the pub - it's jampacked and the vibe is really electric," she said.

"In the street parade everyone was really dressed up and having a big group photo has become a real tradition. We capture as many people as we can out the front of the pub before the re-enactment."

Viper Creek Band were feeling the vibe at Carinda. PHOTO: Jeff Anderson

The committee continue to trial new activities and Simone says the crowds are coming earlier, staying longer, and the average age is getting younger.

"It's definitely the biggest crowd we've ever had, which is really good considering its forty years since Bowie was here," she said.

"People started rolling up on Wednesday, they stayed in tents or at the pub.

 "It really means a lot for our community and businesses."

"Some people think Bowie is just for the older generation but there was a boy Darcy in our Bowie Amazing Race. They have to get a selfie at different locations and answer questions and Darcy knew all the answers - he's12 or 13 and he's Bowie mad."

"One girl was 16 when she last came out and she made sure she came back to celebrate her 18th. People are really loving it and coming back.

"Going forward we've really got to think about catering for all ages."

For their marathon effort the committee say they will definitely come out on top, and when they re-group they'll discuss what they'll do for the Let's Dance Festival 2024.