As the adrenaline rush from “OK Motels” subsides, Charlton can reflect on how the modest little festival, which began back in 2018, has now grown into a full-on, “all-of-town” experience as 800 visitors descended on the “Friendly River Town” to make last weekend’s event one for the record books. 

While financial benefits aren’t the only uptick from an event this size, the original concept – masterminded by photographer Kate Berry as a way of injecting life into retro motels in out-of-the-way places – “OK” has evolved into something of significance for Charlton.

Apart from bringing normally unobtainable indie and rock bands to the area, the gradual integration of community involvement in the weekend has made for a groundswell of rapport between visitors and locals alike.

Rapturous Welcome
And it was a rapturous welcome which greeted fans, first-timers and returnees to this year’s gathering with friendships being rekindled and newbies settling into the leisurely country vibe. 

For community organisations it can be a bonanza of a weekend. Despite the hard work (CWA members were up baking scones at 7 a.m. last Saturday), and the juggling of volunteers to support the various activities around town, the economic windfalls are a lifeblood for the community.

Ultimate Benificiary 
The Charlton A. & P. Society, along with other groups involved, say that the community is the ultimate beneficiary. The Show team covers the catering for the Saturday night dinner at the Charlton Hall, and secretary Wendy Laffin said, “This is a great fundraiser for us and means that we are able to channel money back into improving the Show.”

Serving 350 meals on the night, the committee was assisted by the Charlton College Year 10 work experience students, who also undertook their own fundraising by supplying breakfasts at the Traveller’s Rest Saturday morning. 

Charlton Lions Club were also extremely happy, with a reported takings of around $3,800 (a combined total from the Sunday breakfast, raffle and site fees for the All of Town Garage Sale), along with the Charlton Op Shop which did “extremely well” according to Manager Gill Gretgrix.

Record Breaker
The East Charlton Hotel “broke all records” for the number of meals served over the weekend, while Tia Fanning at “Caffeinated Chaos” tallied up a record breaking 322 coffees on Saturday, along with a clean sweep of food. 

Meanwhile Cabbaritta CWA Branch members faced an unending line of patrons at the Bowls Club rooms for Saturday’s morning tea where most of their 800 scones were eagerly consumed. Branch President, Maria Perger said it had been “crazy” since 10 a.m. with the group’s craft stall having been cleared of items in a flash. 

Central Hub
Back in the main street, the Charlton Club was the “OK Motels” central hub, sporting another climate-controlled space, where patrons could pace the start to their day helped along by the Club’s “drink de jour” – a Bloody Mary. As a place to “chill” (literally), there were plenty of people engrossed in board games, a quiet chat, a game of pool or, for the brave, the option of getting a tattoo! 

Despite the scorching temperatures outside, the energy buzz across town was in no way reduced. Crowds filled the main street, vehicles lined the roadways, the Traveller’s Rest was full to bursting and a village-type atmosphere of relaxed browsing was apparent as visitors took in the shops, the pop-ups, picked up a coffee or just enjoyed the riverside location.

Pool Party
With the “Tell Your Friends You Love Them” pool party (complete with DJ) under way by late morning and The Clams (“Melbourne’s least professional, most clamtastic water ballet squad”) scheduled for early afternoon, space poolside was at a premium. The arrival of the vermillion-suited performers, swathed in candy coloured tuille, grabbed the attention as the twenty-two member squad took to the water to perform their act.

Cheering and applause greeted each new formation as the water babes seamlessly floated from one position to another. Following a final salute to the crowd patrons once again plunged back in for a refresh as the temperature continued to soar.

“Marry Your Friend”
Another crowd-pleaser was the “Marry Your Friend” ceremonies at the Charlton Hall organized by radio / TV personality Marieke Hardy and her friend Emilie Zoey Baker. While also “taking their vows” on the day, Marieke said the late afternoon time slot worked better this year and had brought more focus to the event. Ten weddings (including couples and throuples) and the inclusion of hair and make-up artists to add a little “sparkle” to the scene made for a very successful outcome. There was also tons of confetti!

“It was quite emotional” said Marieke, “and yes, there were tears! Participants had more time to prepare their vows and the audience could hear what was being expressed without the competition from people eating over dinner, as happened last year.” Op shop treasures also made for some glamourous outfits!

Evening Focus 
As evening progressed the Charlton Motel became the focus with headline bands drawing the audience on into the night. 

While this year’s event seemed to attract a younger crowd, patrons were respectful, friendly and were more than happy to be in a location where so many activities were available and within easy reach of each other.

“Often when you go to music festivals,” said one Melbourne visitor, “you are stuck in the middle of nowhere and there’s nothing to do but wait for the music.” 

For Marieke Hardy, “OK” also ticked many boxes. “Coming to Charlton you don’t feel like you are invading the town,” she said. “We have been welcomed with open arms. It’s an event where you make friends for life, and it’s also become a great opportunity to help launch emerging bands.”

Going on the attendance, response and feedback from this year’s three-day festival, “OK Motels” looks set to have a home in Charlton well into the future!