THEY might be down, but the organisers of Wood, Wine and Roses are certainly not out despite plenty of best-laid plans coming to grief on Saturday.

The festival, Glenelg Shire’s largest one-day event, was a victim of the weather change that swept across the south west on Saturday.

The rain not only kept the crowds down, it also led to the cancellation of several of the show’s attractions.

While the weather cleared later on Saturday afternoon, and more people came through the gates then than usual, the damage was already done.

The omens weren’t good early as the woodchopping event – which as reported in the Observer recently is a sport under threat anyway – was set up and ready to go before the axmen pulled the pin due to the wet conditions.

The dance program was another early victim while the motorcycle stunt riders were set up after making the trip from Millicent but could not perform their high-flying act due to the dangerous dampness.

While those and other defections – the Australia Fair organ owner told the committee late on Thursday night he would not be making the trip and about six stallholders pulled out – were a blow, those who attended flocked to the attractions that were on.

That included the Jetpack Entertainment display and fireworks, the Blake Snake Productions wildlife shows and the Khanacross motorsport, the rides and stalls and the Royal Flying Doctor Service simulator.

Wood, Wine and Roses committee president Ross Barclay was philosophical about the hand the weather dealt the festival.

“For all the hard work we’ve got to put into it, it was disappointing,” he said.

“The weather’s turned out all right in the end but the crowd is down.

“I’m disappointed we lost the woodchop because of the weather and the organ didn’t turn up but it’s still been a good event, everybody I’ve spoken to has enjoyed it and everyone’s saying they feel sorry for us.

“You can’t do anything about the weather though – the carnival people are saying it’s just part of the job for them and they’ll come back.

“But we’ve tried our best.”

 The street parade was also hit with some late defections but about 27 floats took part.

Heywood Consolidated School was a well-deserved winner of the $1000 prize for best overall float for a Dr Seuss-inspired creation on the back of a truck driven by school council president Deon Bourke, while the Portland Citizens’ Brass Band (community), Heywood fire brigade (novelty) and Heywood and District Consolidated School (school) won their respective categories and $300.

Co-ordinator Steve Hoggan said while there were some late withdrawals, a couple had also entered at the last minute.

“All things considered, with the weather and whatever, I’m quite pleased,” he said.

“There was also some variety in there.”

The street rod and vintage motorbike show was gearing up for some big numbers, but that didn’t happen with only about a dozen vehicles on display.

Organiser Terry Sparrow said 50 vehicles from Warrnambool were due, but pulled out because of the weather on Saturday morning, as did the 46 vintage motorbikes and some vehicles that were going to come from Portland.

“You just can’t help the weather, that’s the way it is,” he said.

“All said and done about twice in 30 years (wet weather) isn’t too bad I suppose.

“Anyway, we’ll try again next year.”