Locals and tourists alike flocked to the Wagga Boat Club on Sunday for one of the city's biggest public events in a long time.
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The Riverina Rumble 'Oldskool' car rally drew 200 official entrants and large crowds to Lake Albert, where attendees were greeted with blue skies, a fuller lake and a packed out boat club.
The Rumble, now in its third year, has always been a tourism drawcard with the majority of cars coming in from outside Wagga.
Among those who travelled long distances to show off their vehicles was Tom Stead, a former Wagga local who is now living in the Onkaparinga Hills in South Australia.
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Mr Stead said he was in Wagga visiting in-laws when he happened upon the first Riverina Rumble, and he has been coming back ever since.
"It's a fantastic event for Wagga," he said.
Mr Stead said it was a nice drive from SA, and he had not been too worried in the lead-up about the ever-changing border restrictions preventing him from attending.
"We just took the gamble ... we've just got to worry about getting home now but I think we'll be right."
He said they would likely continue using the rally as an excuse to keep coming back to Wagga, catching up with old friends and showing the city to the grandchildren.
The Blanches, a new Wagga family, were out to look at the cars two months after moving from Sydney.
Sandy Blanche said there had been few events to attend since they settled in to their new home, with an "understandable" downturn of options over the Christmas period due to coronavirus.
She said it was great to be out and about at the rally.
"It's a great day for it, it's great to see the lake as well up so full."
Graeme Blanche was impressed by the size of the rally.
"I'm surprised by the amount of cars," he said.
There was plenty to do at the event, with lunch, live music and an impressive variety of cars on show.
With a gold coin donation on entry going to Can Assist, the local charity had a rare opportunity to pick up significant fundraising money in a singular event.
