ABOUT 2000 people crowded on the banks of the river at Murwillumbah's Budd Park for the Tweed River Festival Lights on the River Parade last Saturday.

More than 300 people participated in the parade, which also included lanterns on boats to tie in with the annual Classic Boat Regatta.

Council's coordinator of natural resource management Jane Lofthouse said having the boaties assistance this year added new direction to the festival and helped incorporate the Tweed River into the celebrations.

The festivities also doubled as an official opening of the revitalised Budd Park, which was upgraded earlier in the year as part of a major riverbank revetment and stabilisation project to repair riverbank erosion.

Ms Lofthouse said the River Festival cemented the park as a top-notch venue for future community events.

The focus of this year's Tweed River Festival, stretching from November 2 to 9, was celebrating the birds of the Tweed.

And as usual the festival raised awarenesses about the importance of the Tweed's waterways to both residents of the shire and the many animals living in or by the river.

Birds are also represented at the Caldera Art finalist's exhibition, where 25 dedicated artists promote awareness of the significant biodiversity values within Australia's green cauldron.

The exhibition is on display until December 6 at the Caldera Art Gallery, located in the World Heritage Rainforest Centre in Alma St, Murwillumbah.

Ms Lofthouse thanked all the volunteers, including Classic Boat Regatta participants and Council staff, for helping to make the River Festival a complete success.