Nine things to do in the Riverina this week (8 - 14 March)

The first full week of March really does have some fantastic activities and events for the people of the Riverina to enjoy with perhaps none bigger than the Mardi Gras.

With the parade kicking off at 5 pm on Saturday afternoon (9 March), Baylis Street is set to be covered in rainbow as people from around the Riverina show off their pride. For those looking for a show instead, the Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre has you covered with a Johnny Cash tribute show on Friday and a taste of Ireland on Sunday evening.

Markets will also be in the public’s eye this weekend as the Gundagai Produce Market opens its stalls on Saturday, while both the Griffith Rotary Markets and the River and Wren Markets will be held this Sunday.

Adrenaline junkies can also get their hit this weekend as the Vintage Speedway and Karts revs up for another rally at Illabo, while for younger thrill seekers Vortex is open all week.

All week

Forum 6 Cinemas

When: Various times between 10 am and 8:30 pm
Where: 77 Trail Street, Wagga
Cost: Various. Tickets can be purchased at Forum 6.

A new week and another chance to see a new set of movies at Forum 6 Cinemas. This week’s new releases include the hilarious Best Picture-nominated film The Holdovers, a brand new Blumhouse horror in Imaginary and the British coming-of-age drama How to Have Sex. Other movies still showing include my personal pick, Dune: Part 2, the crazy comedy Poor Things as well as Baghead, Force of Nature, Combat Wombat and Madam Web.

Vortex Entertainment

When: Monday to Friday, 10 am to 6 pm, Saturday to Sunday 10 am to 4 pm
Where: 77 Trail Street, Wagga
Cost: children (1-6 years) $12, students and adults $22.

Check out Wagga’s newest family entertainment with the kids and try the rock-climbing walls, high ropes, bumper cars and obstacle courses.

Friday

Leaving Jackson – Johnny Cash and June Carter Show

When: Friday 8 March, 7:30 to 10 pm
Where: Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre
Cost: Adults $69, concession $64, child under 15 $25.

After sell-out shows throughout Australia and New Zealand, Leaving Jackson The Johnny Cash and June Carter Show returns with a bigger show than ever. All the hits and stories that captured the life of a legend – From the famous Walk the Line and Folsom Prison Blues to the legendary songs of the “Highway Men” Leaving Jackson will perform them all.

Saturday

Wagga Mardi Gras Festival

When: Saturday 9 March, 5 to 10 pm
Where: Baylis Street, Wagga
Cost: Free.

This annual event aims to raise the visibility of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex communities in the Riverina, providing an opportunity to express their creativity and celebrate their identity. They invite the whole community along for the ride, including an evening of amazing floats, laughs and fun. The parade takes place down Wagga’s main strip, Baylis Street, with a free after-party. C’mon Wagga! Try on your tutu, sew on some sequins, apply liberal amounts of fake tan and glitter and get set for a parade and party like Wagga’s never seen before!

Gundagai Producers Market

When: Saturday 9 March, 9 am to 2 pm
Where: Carberry Park, 249 Sheridan Street, Gundagai
Cost: Free entry.

Relax and explore the great range of local produce and grab some gifts for your loved ones at the Gundagai Producers Market. Check out the exciting collection of stalls – from local products and baked goods to home decor, plants and much more. Drop in and support the amazing local producers and grab some goodies.

Vintage Speedway & Karts

When: Saturday 9 March, 9:30 am
Where: Illabo Motorsport Park 14, Illabo Showground Road, Illabo NSW
Cost: Child (under 12) free, child (12–16yrs) $3, concession $5, adult $10.

Vintage Speedway and Karts promises to be a great family day to see some of the best karters in the country. Plenty of action will be on the track, and The Pits will be open during the lunch break for the public to view the vehicles up close. There is nothing like seeing high-quality racing in person and there is no better place to see it than the Illabo Motorsport Park.

Sunday

Griffith Rotary Market

When: Sunday 10 March, 7:30 am to noon
Where: Griffith Showground, Murrumbidgee Avenue, Griffith
Cost: Gold coin donation.

Head to the Rotary Sunday Markets at the Griffith Showground to get your hands on the Riverina’s freshest fruit and veg, eggs, chutneys, cakes and other homemade goodies.

There will be fresh coffee and bacon and eggs too!

A Taste of Ireland | The Irish Music & Dance Sensation

When: Sunday 10 March, 7:30 to 9:20 pm
Where: Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre
Cost: Adult $79.90, concession $74.90, child $69.90.

Hot off its sold-out 2023 UK tour, A Taste of Ireland―The Irish Music & Dance Sensation returns with a performance that is ‘Celtic―for this decade’. Laugh, cry and jig into the night with a show that has entertained thousands. Having performed more than 300 shows since 2019, ‘A Taste of Ireland’ has merged cultural traditions, modern flair, and craic galore to deliver a performance that has brought the house down night after night.

River and Wren Market

When: Sunday 10 March, 10 am to 3 pm
Where: Kyeamba Smith Hall, Wagga Wagga Showgrounds
Cost: Free entry.

The River and Wren Market is a beautiful indoor country market held six times a year in the heart of Wagga. It offers a diverse range of the very best on-trend handmade, homemade and homegrown products the region has to offer. More than 100 market shops are hosted at each market and regularly attract about 4000 visitors.