The success of a more visible and vibrant Holy Trinity Cathedral church grounds hub had the 35th Wangaratta Festival of Jazz and Blues tapping to its new beat over the weekend.

Thousands of patrons flocked into the city to hear some of the genre’s most renowned national and international artists across a host of Wangaratta venues, as the event continues its stunning revival.

A free community stage in front of Wangaratta’s iconic church grounds was a big move for the festival, with 15 local businesses operating food and wine stalls, while the kids were entertained with activities.

Festival chair Andrew Nunn said the committee have been buoyed by the success of the festival’s new free hub, adding to the festive feel around the rejuvenated event.

“Having that hub a walking distance from everything has been really good and we've had some more restaurants and drink vendors jump on board,” he said.

“We felt like we took a pretty big risk on a new area; we’ve learned some stuff from it around the timing of the event and we’ll keep improving it.”

The festival started with a big opening Friday night at The Railyard with Clayton Doley and The Mark Fitzgibbon Trio, while the Vine Hotel hosted an “excellent” show with Dimethyl Tripto Funk.

Saturday was in full swing, with the 35th National Jazz Awards, this year focused on Brass, held at the GOTAFE Amphitheatre.

Sydney-based trumpeter Lachlan Mckenzie took out the prestigious award and associated $7500 winnings, with Rhys Moore coming second and Tom Avgenicos in third.

The weekend’s headliner at the WPACC, the Emma Pask Quartet, thrilled a packed crowd on Saturday night as the festival continued into Sunday capped off by Emily Williams at The Vine Hotel.

Mr Nunn said growing assistance towards the festival from volunteers within the community had brought out a growing interest in the event.

“The way that we can rebuild it isn't by any huge grand gestures, it's just by the people that are supporting it, bringing in one or two friends,” he said.

“Our job is to put on a really fun festival, we feel like we are holding up our end of the bargain and we just hope people keep bringing their friends and coming along.

“The feedback's been quite positive, it's just a handful of little things that we need to tidy up and they'll make a pretty big difference.”

Other events to hold successful outings throughout the weekend included the Oxley Bush Market, Wang’s Big Record Fair, the 26th King Valley Art Show and the Ovens River Hanger Club at Old Faithfulls.

Mr Nunn said the tiny jazz series, with the intimate Old Baptist Hall setting, built on last year’s success and was again popular with music goers.

“Some of the music coming out of there has been fantastic,” he said.

Over at Tarrawingee the third rendition of the Tarra Blues has once again proved a hit, with Plough Inn publican Phil Lithgow full of praise as a capacity 500 people rolled through the doors on Saturday and Sunday.

“We’re seeing three quarters of the people here were here last year as well, which is nice,” he said.

“The bands were awesome on Saturday night, I think Sammy Owens Blues Band had everybody up on their feet.”

Mr Nunn said plans are already in motion for next year’s event, with a review in event ticketing raised and an exciting announcement expected from the Wangaratta Symphony Orchestra in the coming days.

”We’ve already starting to look at what's going on next year and it's looking really cool,” he said.

The festival continues on Monday, with the focus out at Milawa with a series of events at Milawa Cheese Factory, Henleys Wine Bar and Kitchen and Lancemore.