Thousands spent the weekend in the sun at Tumbarumba as the town's popular festival saw music and markets by the creek.
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One of the last events in the Riverina to go ahead last year before the pandemic, Tumbafest managed to return this year after a decision to cancel the event was reversed.
On Saturday, over 2000 people headed to the event, with another 1000 attending on Sunday to enjoy live music at the main stage, bar facilities and more than 50 stallholders selling their goods.
Event coordinator Karly Fynn said it was "incredible" to see the event going ahead after the past year.
"It was perfect weather, everyone behaving themselves in relation to COVID rules and social distancing," she said.
"They've really embraced what we're trying to do."
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Last November, the Tumbafest organisers announced the event would not go ahead due to the uncertainty around coronavirus restrictions.
However, as restrictions eased, they decided in December the event would go ahead after all.
Speaking in January, Tumbafest president Andrew Rae said the hardship of last summer's bushfires and the ongoing pandemic meant it was important to find ways to celebrate.
Ms Fynn said the shorter time to organise the event combined with the additional pressure of making it COVID safe had meant it had been a busy few months.
"It's been a lot of hard work," she said.
She said NSW Health and local police had been helpful in putting the event together and working with the organisers to make sure it could go ahead safely.
"They've been very supportive," she said.
To finally see their hard work pay off in the return of the classic event has been a positive for the group.
"It's been incredible and everyone has been really compliant with our requests," Ms Fynn said.
She said it was great to see people heading in and out of the market with bags full of products.
They've been doing really well," she said.
Other traditions including the Tumbarumba duck race made their triumphant returns, with local wine producers setting up to show off their produce as part of the bar provisions for the weekend.
As always, Ms Fynn said the live music across the weekend was a major highlight for attendees.
A long list of local and visiting bands including Chocolate Starfish kept the music going across both days, and despite there being no dancing this year Ms Fynn said the crowd found ways to enjoy the show.
"You can see people dancing in their seats, enjoying themselves, everyone smiling and happy," she said.
"It was fantastic to watch."
After putting together the 2020 event in the wake of the Dunns Road bushfires and the 2021 event through ever-changing pandemic restrictions, Ms Fynn said the organisers were looking forward to marking the 25th anniversary in 2022.
She said she hoped they would have an easier lead-up to the next event, but they were well prepared with lessons learned should the pandemic continue to impact the rules.