The debut of LEAF Community Arts Festival in Pack Square Park in downtown Asheville merits praise, as its attendance made it — almost — record-setting in the city’s annals.

The two-day event, beginning Aug. 1, drew about 15,000 people on the opening day and night.

That total tops the estimated 12,000 people this year for the Downtown Association’s annual Fourth of July celebration.

It also leaves in the dust the 5,000 to 6,000 people who typically attend the monthly Downtown After 5 outdoor concerts.

Reportedly, vendors as well as attendees were happy with the LEAF downtown festival, with observers praising the quality of the performance by the organizers, that it was a free event and the talent level of the musical bands.

Moreover, the Asheville Police Department also spoke positively of the event, noting that no incidents were reported at the festival on either day.

There were, however, some complaints about a drone that hovered directly overhead and zooming closer and closer to the crowd during Saturday night’s concert.

Fortunately, there were no injuries as a result of the drone’s presence, but maybe some regulations need to be considered so as to protect privacy and public safety.

We join others in expressing our gratitude to Jennifer Pickering, executive director and founder of LEAF, who has shown amazing leadership ability over the years — and also to her capable LEAF staff.