The Southern Riverina came alive over the Easter weekend with a variety of events that brought locals and visitors near and far together to celebrate the long weekend.
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Whether you are a punter, thrill seeker or bargain hunter - the Easter weekend had it all with the Finley Rodeo, Tocumwal Gold Cup and Foreshore markets welcoming visitors from all over.
Saturday saw a successful day of racing at the 2022 Tocumwal Gold Cup.
Tocumwal Race Club secretary Brent Bronat said while he believes the numbers were slightly down from last year’s close to record breaking attendance, it was still an enjoyable day for everyone who attended.
“I would say there was around 1800 to 2000 people who attended,” said Mr Bronat.
“We had some great racing, good weather and a well behaved crowd.
“The day was well supported by locals from Berrigan, Finley and Tocumwal, which was really great to see considering there was so much on over the weekend to choose from.
“We are yet to do an official count, but I reckon the attendance was a bit down from last year, which is to be expected considering last year was our 150th races which drew a large crowd in.”
While the main event was the racing, there was plenty of fun to keep the kids entertained with Skillzone Sports hosting free kids activities throughout the day, returning for the first time since COVID.
And ensuring the crowd wasn’t left hungry was a local preschool, who had a delicious barbeque running to raise money for their school.
For the punters the highlight of the day was of course the main event, the Garnaut Private Wealth Tocumwal Gold Cup.
The Cup offered prize money of $22,000, with $11,200 of that going to the winner.
It was an exciting finish between the top three horses but in the end Sizzleonthebridge, trained by Wagga Wagga trainer Rodger Waters and ridden by Hannah Williams took home first place.
For all the fashionistas on the day, Fashions on the Field was the highlight and the title of ‘Lady of the Day’ and ‘Most Dapper Male’ was highly contested this year.
With more than 100 entries for all the categories, there was certainly tough competition.
Winning the most coveted prize on the day was Lady of the Day Vanessa Marcom, wearing a beautiful vivid green dress.
Mr Bronat said while they had many visitors from Sydney, Melbourne and further attend the race day, it was the support from the locals that was the most pleasing.
“Without their support Tocumwal races, Jerilderie races and Berrigan races wouldn’t continue to go ahead, so it’s certainly credit to them for their continuous support.”
Mr Bronat also thanked all the sponsors of the event, in particular Baldwins Buses who continue to support the Club and patrons in getting home safe from these events free of charge.
The following day, the action moved to Finley where the Finley Rodeo provided some thrilling Easter Sunday entertainment.
Rodeo committee president Jackson Schifferle said numbers were on par with last year, although says there may have been more spectators and competitors at the arena.
“We estimate we had about 2400 people through the gates, plus sponsors and the competitors.
“That’s fairly similar to last Easter, so we’re really happy with that.
“A large portion of our drowd were visitors, I spoke to quite a few from Melbourne and many staying in Tocumwal for the weekend.”
Sunday was Finley’s second Easter rodeo, with the traditionally January event moved last year to avoid COVID-19 border lockdowns.
But Mr Schifferle said it has proven a success, and that the event is likely to remain at Easter.
“It fits in well with the rodeo circuit, with Deni on Easter Saturday, which menas we’re able to encourage a few more of the competitors to stay on in the region and come to our event.
“Easter is also a better time for family, everyone just wants to get together and enjoy what’s on.
“The feedback on the event has been really good, and our local sponsors really enjoyed themselves too.”
At the time of going to print yesterday, the Australian Pro Rodeo Association was yet to release results from the FInley Rodeo.
Berrigan Shire Mayor Matt Hannan said the rodeo and races were the centrepieces of a busy weekend in the Southern Riverina, which he said should assist local businesses in bouncing back from the extended pandemic.
“Easter is a traditionally busy time for this region, and it was again,” he said.
“We had a lot of events on at Easter, plus in the lead up to Easter - starting with the Berrigan Festival on Chanter on the Victorian Labour Day weekend in March, followed by Strawberry Fields, the air show and now great crowds at the races, market and rodeo.
“It is a great shot in the arm for businesses.
“The weekend;s weather was beautiful, the beaches and cafes were full and there was a lot of through traffic.
“Anyone who has been affected by COVID-19 and who has been able to hold on through it all should have got a great kick from Easter.”