Horseback riders, covered wagons, walkers and cyclists converged as the 28th cavalcade came to a close on Saturday.
Smiling cavalcade participants waved to the watching crowds as they made a circuit of the town.
Then it was a chance for horses to be groomed and some sore bottoms to gratefully sink into deck chairs as cavalcaders enjoyed an afternoon of food, music and market stalls at the Patearoa parade ground.
Demonstrations of sheep mustering and shearing entertained the visitors and there was plenty of food and drink to replenish tired travellers.
While the cavalcade celebrated the gold-rush era, when horses were essential, a hint of the workhorse of the future was on display at the grounds.
A 1926-27 Ford Model T rescued from a barn in Palmerston has been restored by Gordon Souness, of Patearoa.
‘‘It had been in a barn for years, probably about 50 or 60 years.’’
Workers at Warrens Garage in Palmerston uncovered it and offered it for sale.
Mr Souness bought it and with help from others in the local community he got the motor running and put new tyres on it.
However, the patina of age has been retained.
‘‘We left it unrestored because everyone loved it just the way it was.’’
Seats are made from old coffee bags and under years of rust the original dark blue paint with black trim can just be seen.
Back in the day, new drivers used to horses would try to stop the car by yelling "whoa, whoa, whoa, and they would pull the steering wheel off", he said.
This was one of the last Model Ts before the Model A took over.
‘‘Once the Model As came along, the Model Ts just got used on farms, thrown over banks, and smashed up.’’
But thanks to being forgotten in a barn for decades, this Model T still has some horsepower left in it.
