Football rivalries, rodeo thrills and spills, four days of tennis, shopping, arts and culture - Deniliquin had it all this Easter and everyone loved it.
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The four day Easter weekend had a busy schedule of events catering to people with all kinds of interests, while also leaving enough time for family and friend gatherings.
Some of the weekend’s key events reported record crowds, or at least the biggest crowds seen in many years.
And Deniliquin Business Chamber executive officer Kate Pitt said the CBD was busy all weekend, pointing to what could be the strongest Easter in terms of economy building since before COVID-19.
And visitors and locals also gave generously, with more than $12,000 raised for the Good Friday Appeal from Deni fundraising efforts by Friday night, and the tally still ticking over.
The weekend’s activities kicked off with the Deniliquin Easter Art Show gala opening on Thursday night, with a full house of sponsors, artists and art lovers coming together to see which of the 307 entries went home with prizes.
The exhibition remained open for the next four days, with a steady stream of viewers.
On Good Friday the action turned to the southern end of Hardinge St, where the Deniliquin Rams Football Netball Club hosted the Finley Cats for round one of the Murray League action.
Drawing what the Deni Rams have called a record crowd, it culminated in the vigorous rivalry under lights between the senior footballers.
Visitors and locals alike dug deep on the day for the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal.
Deniliquin RCH Appeal fundraisers worked out of the Deni RSL Club as their base, while the Deni Rams assisted with collections at their game and Deniliquin’s Fire + Rescue NSW brigade visited Deniliquin’s three main caravan parks.
“A lot of people were very generous,” brigade Deputy Captain Les Booth said.
“So many people expressed to us they have had children attend the hospital so they understand how important it is to give.”
“Both my daughters have also been patients at the Royal Children’s Hospital, which is why I have volunteered as a collector the last few years too.”
“The brigade was also happy to be invited back to BIG4 Deniliquin on Sunday to bring the Easter bunny on the refurbished 1936 ‘Dennis Ace’ fire engine, which is owned by a local syndicate of retired firefighters and their families.
“It was good for the park, good for us and for the families staying there - there were lots of smiles.”
Saturday was the biggest day on the Easter events calendar, with markets, live music and the Deniliquin Easter Saturday Rodeo Under The Stars all featuring in Deni.
Meanwhile, in Mathoura there was the opening round clash of the Picola and District Football Netball League and the Mathoura Easter Fair.
The weekend continued with the Deniliquin Baptist Church Easter in the Park on Sunday and Deniliquin Lions Community Market on Monday.
“It has been a really fabulous Easter long weekend,” Ms Pitt said.
“All the activities, especially those in the Waring Gardens, were really well supported, and that meant the CBD was really busy as well.
“The comments have all been really positive, and have included how beautiful the visitors find Deniliquin.
“We saw a lot of visitors who love coming back, and a lot of new visitors as well.”
Ms Pitt, who had her new shops’s soft opening in the CBD for Easter, said all of the shops seemed very busy.
She praised those who opened outside their normal hours, and said the food outlets in particular did a “roaring trade”.
“Deni turned on the sunshine and the charm, and all the comments have been very positive.
“Even at 12pm on a Monday there are still so many people in the CBD visiting shops - there’s not a spare parking spot in the CBD.
“Congratulations to all the event organisers who helped to showcase Deniliquin at its best.”
Deniliquin Rodeo president Greg Rourke said his committee and all the rodeo volunteers certainly worked very hard to put on an amazing rodeo showcase on Saturday night.
“After the Ute Muster, our event would have to be the second biggest event in terms of bringing visitors to the town,” Mr Rourke said.
“Our locals and visitors alike need something to do at Easter, and it’s great that we can put this event on for them.
“We had 30 bullriders and many more competitors for the other sections coming in from all over the country, and we had an enormous crowd - one of the biggest we’ve ever had.
“It was a full on event with beautiful weather, and with competitors coming from far and wide to take on the McPhee Rodeo stock - which just get better every year.
“The entertainment from the jousters and the Conargo Whipcrackers was amazing, and our catering and merchandise vendors all said they had a great night.
“Thanks goes to my committee, our volunteers and the sponsors - without them we couldn’t run events like this.”
Results from the rodeo were still being collated at the time of going to print yesterday, and will be included in Friday’s edition.
Senior journalist