Over 6,000 people attended the first ever OktBorderFest in Point Edward over the weekend.
The two-day outdoor concert featuring The Glorious Sons, Barenaked Ladies and Kim Mitchell is being hailed a big success.
Tourism Sarnia-Lambton Executive Director Mark Perrin said concert goers and the bands both agreed it was a much needed celebration.
"People coming out said that something like this was needed within the community," said Perrin. "Obviously it's been a long 18 months for everyone, and everyone was ready to have a safe event that everyone can enjoy."
Perrin said there were no major issues regarding COVID protocols and screenings at the gate.
"They actually tested over 400 people between the two days, and we had all negative tests," he said. "Overall it was well received. I think there's always a few people that maybe were like we'll get it done, but we don't want to, but at the end of the day for both vaccinated and unvaccinated, it made everyone have an option and be able to still attend a great event."
Perrin said the event was also a nice boost for area hotels and restaurants, given that about 50 per cent of the tickets sold were to residents outside of Sarnia-Lambton.
He says they're already looking ahead to the summer for Bluewater Borderfest.
"We have June that's been the postponed dates from a couple years back," he said. "We have Our Lady Peace and Finger Eleven already lined up to play late June of next year, so we're going to focus on that one for now. With that festival, we want to round out what the other days will be."
Tickets that were previously purchased for the festival will be honoured in 2022.
For more information or to purchase tickets visit bluewaterborderfest.ca.