New Yass Valley tourism manager Sean Haylan was impressed by what the town turned on.

“It delivered!

“The weather was almost perfect – not too hot. There were over 160 cars, which is not a small car show by any means, and hours of billy cart races.

Mr Haylan reported a significant hike in visitor numbers up to and including the weekend.

Glenda Snape, from the Yass Antique Motor Club, said “A good weekend was had by many”. More heritage vehicles than ever were keen to take part in the Celebration of Heritage Motoring.

The Rotary Billy Cart Derby was again a huge drawcard.

“It was brilliant!” organiser Kim Turner said.

Arts Trail organiser Kim Nelson agreed that the weekend had been another big success.

“Like everything, you have some hits and some misses but overall it was very, very successful.”

Nancye Lee from the Yass Red Cross branch said the open gardens had again gone well. It was too soon for a dollar tally but she said the feedback from hosts and visitors had been very positive.

“It was a great day – and we’re so grateful to the people of Yass and district for supporting the open gardens.”

Rod Easton, from the Chamber of Commerce, said he thought numbers were slightly up on previous years.

“It was bloody brilliant!” he said, quoting someone he heard on the weekend.

With the event in its third year, he said most kinks were now ironed out but there was always room for improvement.

“We’ll keep working on it,” he said.