Attendance numbers from Lithgow’s recent Halloween event are yet to be released, following reports an estimated 30,000 people attended the event, a claim dismissed by Lithgow’s deputy mayor Martin Ticehurst.
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A meeting for the Halloween event committee to discuss the numbers is still yet to be held, but is earmarked for some time in the next few weeks.
In a statement authorised by Cr Ticehurst, but from a private email address that is not the deputy mayor’s official council email, he said it was “absolutely implausible” that almost 30,000 people were in the blocks of Lithgow’s CBD allocated for the event.
“All indicates that there would have only at best been anywhere from 2,500 up to 4,000 people in attendance,” he said, claiming advice from local businesses, attendees and social media posts as evidence.
The release was posted on social media and met with an outcry from residents who criticised Cr Ticehurst’s comments, but wanted to know how the figure was arrived at.
Some cast doubt over the figures but many agreed it was a positive event for Lithgow.
A report from the Tourism Advisory Committee, tabled to an ordinary council meeting on December 14 last year, estimated more than 27,000 people attended the event last year.
It is unclear in the report, or the minutes from the committee meeting where the number was originally stated, the methods used to come to this figure.
In an earlier statement, Manager of Lithgow Tourism Kellie Barrow said her team was extremely pleased with this year’s turnout.
“Official numbers are yet to be determined, and the Halloween committee will have to sit down with the figures before we discuss anything further,” Ms Barrow said.
“Lithgow Tourism would like to say thank you to the community for their support, as well as to all who came from out of town, and even from across the country to take part.”
