![The Mardi Gras returns this weekend](https://regionriverina.com.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2022/02/MardiGras-110319-499.jpg)
Wagga pride will be on full display this weekend as the Mardi Gras returns for its fourth year. Photo: Wagga Wagga Mardi Gras Festival.
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
![Catch the latest release at Forum 6.](https://regionriverina.com.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/02/Copy-of-Copy-of-Copy-of-Copy-of-Copy-of-Copy-of-Copy-of-Copy-of-Catch-the-latest-release-at-Forum-6.-Photo-Collage-–-Shri-Gayathirie-Rajen-1200x960.png)
Catch the latest release at Forum 6. Photo Collage – Shri Gayathirie Rajen.
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.
![Children having first try of the bumper cars at Vortex](https://regionriverina.com.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/01/DSC00709-1200x675.jpg)
Wagga’s newest entertainment venue, Vortex, is a fun time for the whole family. Photo: Jarryd Rowley.
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
![Experience the incredible hits of Johnny Cash and June Carter at the Civic Theatre this weekend.](https://regionriverina.com.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/02/80de4e22bab6b2f2efc846a70ba8a5f0-1200x900.jpeg)
Experience the incredible hits of Johnny Cash and June Carter at the Civic Theatre this weekend. Photo: Visit Wagga.
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
![Mardi Gras](https://regionriverina.com.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2023/02/MardiGras-110319-64.jpg)
Wagga Mardi Gras attracts visitors from across the country. Photo: Supplied.
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](https://regionriverina.com.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/03/e1049f2e82c9526ef2219ff87fb88988-1200x900.jpeg)
Kick off your weekend with an early outdoor trip to the Gundagai Producers Market. Photo: Visit Wagga.
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.
![Racing action returns to Illabo raceway this weekend.](https://regionriverina.com.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-07-at-11.42.44-am.png)
Motorsports action returns to Illabo Raceway this Saturday and it promises to be an adrenaline-filled time. Photo: Illabo Motorsport Parkway.
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
![The Griffith Rotary Market will be held every Sunday until 25 June.](https://regionriverina.com.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2023/03/9fd7ae1286479e5ffcd32a42a0e3783f.jpeg)
The Griffith Rotary Market will be held every Sunday until 25 June. Photo: Visit Griffith.
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 returns to the Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre](https://regionriverina.com.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/03/806c56724f400e4d15d54d13e9102436-1200x639.jpeg)
Featuring revamped classics like Danny Boy and Tell Me Ma, A Taste of Ireland transports you through the story of Ireland’s tumultuous history. Photo: Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre.
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.
![Visitors have browsed the local wares for sale since River and Wren Market began in 2014. The massively popular market has been held six times a year since. Photo: #VisitWagga.](https://regionriverina.com.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2022/06/11c9b0d815f6950624bc844c9714c009-1200x800.jpg)
Visitors have browsed the local wares for sale since River and Wren Market began in 2014. The massively popular market has been held six times a year since. Photo: #VisitWagga.
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.