It was cooler than anyone would have liked, and the wet weather wreaked havoc on some popular local events, but Easter in the Southern Riverina was a huge success.
Major events included the home games for the Finley and Tocumwal Football Netball Clubs in the Murray League on Good Friday, Tocumwal’s Easter Saturday Races, the Tocumwal Foreshore Market and Finley’s Easter Sunday Rodeo.
The rain on Friday did lead to the disappointing decision on Saturday to call off horse racing at Tocumwal, but the hard working Race Club committee still put on a top social day for people from across the region.
“A very big thank you to all those people that made the effort to attend the Tocumwal Race Club. Without your patronage we wouldn't survive,” club president Gary Beer said.
“I would also like to thank our sponsors who stuck by us, knowing that our races were abandoned. You will not be forgotten.
“I hope everyone enjoyed their day at the racecourse and please come next year. Don't forget to tell all your friends.”
Club secretary Brent Bonat estimates a crowd of between 700 and 1000 people still made their way to the racecourse for the no races event.
“Aside from the cold weather, everyone really enjoyed themselves; it was good to see,” he said.
Stewards deemed the track unsafe for racing about 8am Saturday, just hours before the gates to the racecourse were due to open.
According to Elders Weather, 13.6mm of rain was recorded in Tocumwal on Good Friday, and another 11.2mm on Easter Saturday.
A highlight of the phantom race meet at Tocumwal was the Fashions on the Field, with the winner’s giving an indication of just how far people came for the event.
Lady of the Day went to Melanie Armstrong of Tocumwal and the Dapper Male prize went to Jacob Boyd from Finley.
The novelty event - which rewards racegoers for unusual or themed costumes - was won by Jayson McCarthy from Somerville.
He donned traditional ladies attire for the competition, down to a set of high heels and impressed.
For the younger racegoers, there were prizes for the best dressed male and female tiny tots and for those slightly older under the category name of Young Track Star.
Tiny Tots winners were Luke and Caitlin Dunn from Barooga.
Another of the Dunn clan, Kyle, won the male Young Track Star while the female prize went to Juliette Smerdon from Yarrawonga.
Fashions on the Field organisers thanked MC Vanessa Rankin for her time, and for adding a little extra entertainment to the race day schedule.
When she learned the racing had been called off, the MC made a call to her band The Riverina Strummers and they provided live music as a donation to the race committee.
Results from Sunday’s rodeo are yet to be released by the Australian Pro Rodeo Association, so will appear in next week’s edition.