Parachute organiseres happy with turnout

Organisers at the Parachute Festival, held at Mystery Creek near Hamilton, say they were pleased with the turnout.

About 20,000 people enjoyed the dozens of bands on four stages, carnival rides, food stalls and other attractions at the four-day drug-and alcohol-free event which finished yesterday.

Parachute spokesman Luke Oram said organisers were "really stoked" with the turnout - which included more than 1000 families who took up the festival's pay-what-you-can-afford promotion for tickets.

Mr Oram said the promotion, which offered family passes priced between $1 and $250 after sluggish sales, helped boost the festival's attendance.

"There's no doubt that helped. It also really helped change the vibe of the festival to a cool family buzz."