HUNDREDS of people flowed through the Old Faithfulls Brew Bar backyard on Saturday morning, contributing to the success of the inaugural Ovens River Hanger Club.
Wardrobes were cleaned out, shoppers gathered bargain buys, there were good vibes galore, and promotion of local clothing hub Thread Together Wangaratta, as part of the sustainable fashion event.
Tanya McAlpin said she and fellow organiser Felicity Carmody were rapt to see the level of interest in Saturday's event, which was initiated to give locals a chance to on-sell their quality pre-loved clothes, while also broadening the use of the Old Faithfulls backyard.
"There were so many people in the backyard, it was amazing," Tanya said.
"We had about 400 people through over the morning; everybody sold items, and I think nearly everybody walked out with something.
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"It was so nice socially - that whole side of it was lovely too, with even the sellers chatting and shopping between themselves.
"I loved the fact that we could turn the backyard into something that was a polar opposite use, and give people an excuse to clean out their wardrobes."
Takings from the gold coin entry fee, stallholder fees and a raffle on the day raised $1000 for Thread Together, a clothing hub which operates from the Old Baptist Church on the corner of Baker and Docker streets, and saves new clothing from landfill by providing it to local people in need.
Support for this project - which operates nationwide and was brought to the district in 2023 by the Wangaratta Baptist Church - fits perfectly with the aim of the Ovens River Hanger Club.
Tanya said the donation from Saturday's event would cover two months' rent for Thread Together's Wangaratta base.
The opportunity to highlight this project, alongside the sustainable exchange of clothing and accessories, the social aspect of the morning, and the platform for young musicians who entertained shoppers, created a relaxed, friendly environment which had many people asking when the next event would be held.
"It was good to have conversations with people about what they enjoyed and what could perhaps be tweaked," Tanya said.
"We're thinking October for the next one at this stage."
