The aromas of delicious food wafted over the crowds at Inverell's Multicultural Festival, where both festival and race-goers treated themselves to cuisine from six different cultural groups.
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Starting at 11am, crowds picked up around 12pm as people gathering to see the Grafton to Inverell were lured in to eat.
Albert Talampas, the president of the Filipino community in Inverell, said they loved the beautiful Sapphire City, and the festival really let them show that off.
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"We do this every year," he said.
"The food, the culture, the blending of different nationalities, different people - we're all in Inverell right now. Most of us are Inverell and Australian citizens, and as far as we can we try to blend in with the community.
"We love it here, and we're not moving out."
At their stall, they had sweet banana, spring rolls, made with Filipino recipes handed down with the history of family.
They were joined by stalls from Brazil, Thailand, Tonga, America, with the Danthonia community bringing along pies and the Aboriginal community displaying art as well.
A Samoan singer and dancer on stage kept everyone entertained amidst the live music performances.
Coordinator Peter Caddey said it was great to have the festival back after it's cancellation last year, and was pleased to see the symbiotic relationship with the race benefit all.
"Fantastic day, great crowd, wonderful and diverse stalls, plenty of food for everyone, and some great entertainment - it's been a really successful event and well attended," he enthused.
With Inverell very supportive of both events, he said the tradition will hopefully continue "well into the future".
It's the third year they've been held together, with the festival held on or near Harmony Day in March.
"It's great it's part of the race, it's a mutual thing for both of us - get better crowds for both of us, and when people had ridden 228kms or 136kms, you want a crowd here to cheer them on."
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