The cold and wet conditions of Saturday morning did not deter racegoers from around the region from the annual Parkes Picnic Races.
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3.8mm had fallen in Parkes by the time the racecourse gates opened at 11.30am and 4.6mm by the first race at 1.30pm.
The Parkes Coradgery and Diggers Picnic Race Committee President, Tim Keith, said once the rain stopped it was a pleasant afternoon.
“It was a bit muddy in spots, but not too bad,” Tim said.
“We spread about 15 ton of bark chips from the southern side of the grandstand back to the gate where there was a lot of bare earth from the works.”
Tim said the committee is pleased with numbers considering the weather.
“Most people are either in a commercial or private tent,” he said.
“Eighty percent of people go out for the picnic part of it and are committed to attend as they already have their tickets, and those who go for the races are there anyway.”
There were three commercial and five private tents this year, with the Cambridge Hotel taking out Best Tent.
The Fashions on the Field were hotly contested with good numbers entering the four categories and keeping guest judge, regional milliner Julie Herbert on her toes.
Melissa West of Forbes was the winner of the Millinery category, Aimee Hay of Tathra won the Contemporary Fashions in the Field, Karlie de Kaste of Geurie was judged the most Elegant Lady and Ben Terry of Parkes was sashed the most Stylish Man.
Tim said the Rural Fire Service did an outstanding job catering for the crowd and Trundle band Geroholom Johnson were fantastic.
“The band was great, we had to put them under a tarp unfortunately, but that’s just the way it worked out with the rain,” Tim said.
“We’ve already signed them on again for next year.
“We would like to thank our major sponsor McDonalds, and Parkes Services Club, Telescope Tyres and Batteries, AgriWest and PJL Group. And thanks to Council, they are always a tremendous support.”