Just over 24 hours before the parade, the Wagga council announced it would be cancelled along with all major events in the foreseeable future to slow the spread of COVID-19.

While locals mourned the loss of the day, visitors who arrived to the news of the event's cancellation stressed the importance of supporting the community amid disappointment and economic losses.

Festivities at Que Bar began from mid afternoon, with Rainbow Riverina hosting a barbecue at Wagga beach as an alternative.

The barbecue area was a sea of colourful outfits from 5pm, and Rainbow Riverina's Kara MacKender said it was great to see so many people there in their outfits who may have been unable to head to the remaining events.

"They can have their family environment with us, we're a big rainbow family here."

She said while she was "absolutely devastated" at the parade's cancellation, she was proud of organiser Holly Conroy for making the call.

"We're going to be bigger and better next time ... Holly Conroy has got big plans and we'll be on board."

Melinda and Gail McCann of Chakola decided to head to Wagga despite the news of the cancellation, having promised two of their children a trip to "the rainbow parade."

Chloe, 10, and Lachlan, 11, both have autism spectrum disorder, and the couple said Wagga was an ideal smaller alternative to Sydney for them to enjoy.

Melinda said as someone working in disability and mental health, she saw first-hand the importance of providing inclusive spaces for the LGBTIQ community.

She said they would be taking the opportunity to visit local relatives and support those who had spent the time and money on organisation.

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At the Rainbow Riverina barbecue were several '78ers,' who were involved in the original Mardi Gras protest in 1978.

Steve Warran, who travelled from Sydney, said this year had additional importance as the 50^th anniversary of pioneer activist group Campaign Against Moral Persecution.

He said his trips to Wagga for the past two years for the Mardi Gras showed how far the city had come, with Baylis Street plastered with decorations in shop windows.

"I feel sorry for the shops this year, they're losing so much money," he said.

Mr Warren said it was important these events to continue to maintain the progress the LGBTIQ movement has made and fight against remaining prejudice.

The cancellation hit especially hard for recent Wagga arrival Tanya Dawson and her fiancee Erin Dunne, who marked their first Mardi Gras since coming out.

"I cried my eyes out ... I'm really angry about it," Ms Dawson said.

She said she respected the Wagga community for putting on smaller events on what was an important day for her and her family.

"Today is the one day we don't have to be quiet," she said.

"We just get to feel normal and not judged."

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At the Victory Memorial Gardens, members of the Zana Aerial Dance Academy gathered for a picnic to commiserate the loss of their chance to participate in the parade.

Zana owner Heather Shaw said the parade was a "joyful" way for the academy to show their support for their LGBTIQ students.

She said while it was sad not to be able to perform, she hoped the organisers would not be disheartened.

"It's never wasted, all the organisation they put in this year will help next year," she said.

Friend of the academy Robbie Brown of Sydney was at the picnic after finding out the event was cancelled about five minutes after arriving in Wagga.

"It was important for all of us to come to park this afternoon and make our own celebration for Wagga Mardi Gras," he said.

"I also love that the Mardi Gras is not just about Sydney anymore.

"It's so wonderful that 40 years (after the first Sydney Mardi Gras) the first one in Wagga was not a protest but a celebration of diversity and inclusion."