Thousands crowded the Roxburgh Racecourse this weekend as the Goldfields Cavalcade and Roxburgh Rotary Classic Car Show breathed new life into the Mt Benger A&P Show.
The combined events drew between 3000 and 4000 people to the grounds on Saturday, up on about 1000 for last year's A&P show.
The full-day event featured equestrian, agrisports, animal competitions, a grand parade and games for children along with lines of food and gift stalls.
At noon, another parade of nine trail groups from the Take Me To The Teviot Cavalcade marched around the track past the waving crowd.
On foot, horseback and in wagons, about 440 people from the 24th cavalcade ended their journeys, which they had started from various points around the lower South Island about a week before.
The majority of trekkers are returners, but JJ McLaughlan, of Invercargill, was a newcomer, not only in the sense of the cavalcade - he had learnt to ride horses only a few months before. His mother, Lee Mclaughlan, died last year and had always wanted to join the cavalcade, so he decided to do it in her honour.
He enlisted the help of ex-jockeys Chris Ramage and Paul Hillis and rode around in the dark on the streets of Invercargill on Goldie, an ex-racehorse. .
‘‘That was a pretty scary place to learn, with all the traffic. They are amazing animals, but they terrify me to bits.''
He rode Goldie along a trail from Poolburn where the group was hit by rainstorms.‘‘One night our tents literally floated away.
‘‘But it was fantastic. I've already told them I'm going to come back next year.''
In another paddock, more than 50 collectable cars lined the grass for the Roxburgh Rotary Classic Car Show.
Among the petrol-heads displaying their rides were Ray and Linda Winterbourne, of Luggate, who brought their 1963 Studebaker Lark.
The pair bought the car from Timaru about a year ago to go with their two other vintage Studebakers.
Mr Winterbourne said the key to his love for old cars was the sound.
‘‘When you're young you dream of having these things, so why not, if you have a bit of money left over as a pensioner?''
The dry Central Otago climate meant they did not rust, he said.
Mrs Winterbourne said she wanted to buy a caravan of the same era, paint it an identical cream colour, and take the vehicles out together.
‘‘We would go on trips to the beach and things like that.''Cavalcade organiser Terry Davis said the joint events made for a ‘‘fantastic parade''.
‘‘There were a beautiful mix of activities for the cavalcaders. I've had nothing but good feedback.''The next cavalcade is planned to finish in Omakau.
Mt Benger A&P Show president Dick Michelle said running the events jointly had been
‘‘very successful''.
‘‘We're not jumping to any conclusions about what we'll do next year, though. We're focused on cleaning up and having a rest.''
The cavalcade ended with its usual hoedown.
‘‘There were about 500 to 600 people in the marquee and everyone was dancing.''
