A community Christmas gathering was held in the town at Waring Park last Saturday in conjunction with the Yanco Lions Club annual hams raffle.

The idea behind the event was to not only make it bigger and attract more residents from throughout the shire, but to also return to a more traditional way of celebrating the festive season.

Various community groups took part in the carnival to display what they do and how to be part of the organisation.

Co-organiser Dinah Drinan said the event was so successful it will return again next year.

"We'll obviously decide what worked and what didn't and bring it back bigger and better," Mrs Drinan said.

"I would say there were about 300 people there ... it actually blew me away."

While the carnival was aimed at promoting Yanco and what it has to offer, it also aimed to provide a family friendly atmosphere.

There were sulky rides, a football toss, mini trains, face painting, putt putt golf and more on offer throughout the afternoon.

Mrs Drinan said the Lions Club had raised a tidy sum from the event.

"It was a good fund-raiser for them, but it was also good in the way the community came together," she said.

"Now we're on a roll we will keep going with promoting Yanco and all the great things it has to offer.

"We're really excited to get out there more and show what we have.

"Yanco is a great community and we're proud to be able to put on events like this one."