The Russian songstress, who is based in Christchurch and last month married her manager Glyn Maclean, said it was fantastic to perform at Sunday's festival at Tasman School.

"It was a great crowd just so laid-back," she told the Nelson Mail.

She said she wore her wedding dress for her first two numbers to encourage audience members to follow their dreams and do what they wanted in life.

"My story is rags to riches, isn't it? I struggled a lot to get where I am now. If they see me doing so well and enjoying myself, it might inspire them to do well."

The multi-platinum selling artist performed for about 30 minutes, enduring sound system hitches with professionalism and good humour.

Yulia was the headline act at the Tasman School and the Tasman Area Community Association fundraiser.

Official gate takings and crowd numbers will not be tallied until the end of the week. However, organising committee member Saree Dickson was confident the numbers would equal, if not exceed, those of the inaugural festival in 2006, which attracted 4500 people and raised $15,000.

"We're very happy with it," Ms Dickson said of Sunday's event.

"It was very successful."

Tasman resident David Short agreed, saying it was an "absolutely fabulous" event.

"I've drunk beer, I've eaten mussel patties, I've looked at the craft things, and I've met and talked to a lot of people I haven't seen in a while."

The Nut Cart owner Tanya Doty said her stall did a roaring trade at the event. She was impressed by the attitude of those at the festival, saying everybody seemed to be in great spirits.

"I think that because they have had the $2 entry charge, nobody got left out. As a fundraiser, this is fantastic," she said.

Source:stuff.co.nz