An estimated 8000 people spilled into the Victory Memorial Gardens to enjoy food and entertainment from all over the world.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The numbers for the annual Fusion festival were down compared to previous years, but a Wagga City Council staff member said there were a couple of factors.
Victoria Lowe, council's community development officer, said the colder weather would have been one reason for the slight drop in numbers.
"There was also a lot else happening in Wagga, which is great because people have so many community events to choose from," she said.
"We are happy with how everything went, and there was a lot of work behind the scenes."
Ms Lowe said Fusion19 had been a single-use plastic-free event, an important focus. She added the adoption of the rule took a lot of coordination, bit was quite successful for its first year.
Tastebuds were also kept satisfied with authentic food from all over the world. Sampath Hathurusinghe helped to organise the Sri Lankan corner with members of the community.
"Everyone did a great job," he said.
"We were selling kottu which we made on the spot and customers lined up for 30 minutes to buy it.
"I think we were one of the first stalls to sell out."
Mr Hathurusinghe said the money raised would go towards the community's language school in Wagga and to children in regional Sri Lanka who could not afford necessities for school.
He added that Fusion was a way to build harmony in the city.
"Everyone knows there are so many cultures in Wagga, but Fusion is where everyone can see it and learn something from each other," Mr Hathurusinghe said.
"I just want to thank all the organisers for arranging this great event."
Multicultural Council CEO Belinda Crain said she had received an overwhelming amount of positive feedback since Saturday night.
"It was extremely successful," she said.
"I have had heaps of positive feedback, from the broader community and people from refugee backgrounds.
"Quite a few of the new families were just saying 'we love Wagga' over and over."
Ms Crain said Fusion was the perfect way to help migrants and refugees feel at home.
"When people are coming from refugee backgrounds and insecure places, and they see Fusion happening, it allows them to feel safe and welcomed," she said.