THE weather behaved and the crowds were out in force as Swan Hill celebrated the annual three-day race carnival that brings visitors from all over.
A group from the North Whyalla Football Club in South Australia even travelled to the races, enjoying the Swan Hill hospitality for the weekend.
All three days had good attendance, with parking attendants struggling to find places for all the cars on the traditionally slow Friday.
An electric atmosphere engulfed the Swan Hill racecourse as the sounds of music, the smell of horses, the clamouring of the bookies and children playing greeted racegoers.
Swan Hill Jockey Club president David Wilkins said it appeared to be a record crowd across the three days.
“When you see the numbers out the front and around the mounting yard, it certainly was a big crowd,” Mr Wilkins said.
“It was a really happy crowd and everyone was there to enjoy themselves and that’s what they did.
“A few of the locals trained winners, which is always great.”
Swan Hill Mayor Les McPhee said the carnival was a terrific event and brought a lot of people to the town.
“Every year we get a lot of the same people coming back, which is encouraging,” Cr McPhee said.
“You can’t get a motel room in town at the moment, so for the economy it is terrific.
“It’s a really family affair, there are lots of kids here and a real carnival atmosphere, and that is what the three-day carnival is all about.”
Member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh said it was great to see plenty of “southerners” come up for the weekend.
“They come up here for a bit of better weather, which we certainly have put on for them today,” Mr Walsh said.
“There is a real buzz in the air.
“When you see the crowds come out onto the lawn for each race, you realise just how many people are here.”
Swan Hill deputy mayor Stuart King joined the throng of racegoers with his family and said he was enjoying the carnival.
“It is fantastic for Swan Hill, it brings so many people to the community and it showcases what is on offer in Swan Hill and it is just a great event,” Cr King said.
Councillor Ann Young said it was her favourite day of the year.
Early in the week there were some concerns as to how the track would drain with the large amount of rain, but the track improved to a soft seven by Sunday, holding up well with the large number of races.
