It might be cold, and the track might be soggy, but there will be no better place to be in Parkes this Saturday than the racecourse for the annual Parkes Picnic Races.
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The picnic races have long been considered a 'Back to Parkes' weekend, with many residents opening their homes to friends and relations who come to celebrate their connection with the town for the weekend.
There are five races on the card, but for many the action will be on the other side of the fence, on a day where people flock to course from all over NSW; enjoying beautiful food and drink and having a little flutter on the horses.
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Fashions on the Field will of course be one of the most enjoyable parts of the day, with cash and prizes on offer for the smartly dressed.
The four categories this year are:
- Millinery
- Elegant lady
- Stylish man
- Best dressed couple
Contestants will be judged by Dixie Coulton and Elizabeth Pakchung, who will be casting their particularly fashionable eyes over the elegant attendees.
Parkes Picnic Races secretary Mark Olson is relieved to have the meeting back after a hiatus due to COVID-19, and is looking forward to a big crowd.
"The picnic meeting has a history of more than 100 years and people love coming here," he said.
"We normally get 3000 to 4000 people - I don't know how many people we will get this year after missing last year, but the crowd is back to being unlimited now, so it should be a good day."
Olson assured spectactors that there will be plenty to keep them happy.
"We will have fashions, the pubs each have their own tent sites, and they get their own people in to feed and they look after them.
"We have the usual stuff - there are bookmakers, full bar facilities on course, catering by the Que Club, coffee and all of that; it's a great day," said Olson.
On the track, the highlight, as always, will be the $9000 Parkes Services Club Coradgery Cup, while Parkes trainer Sharon Jeffries has four runners engaged in the meeting.
Gates will open at 11.30am, and tickets are $20 for adults; while children under 16 will get in free.
ServiceNSW Discover vouchers can be used to purchase your ticket and race book, and that also includes a bus back to town.
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