River City Park up impresses visitors and locals

There was plenty of entertainment on offer at the River City Park Up

They hadn't yet driven out of the Whanganui City College grounds but visitors had already put next year's Protecta Insurance River City Park Up in their diary.

The second edition of the now annual event brought hundreds of cars together on Sunday with proceeds going to charity.

"There must be over 600," organiser Grant Rivers said.

Te Arahi (7) and Ariana (8) Taitima tuck into a hotdog at the River City Park Up on Sunday. Photos/ Stuart Munro

People were there to check out a huge range of vehicles but there was something for everyone too with food stalls, face painting and trade displays.

"The crowd's good. Everything went really well," Mr Rivers said.

The River City Park Up at Whanganui City College on Sunday.

"They all know about last year and about how all the money goes to local charities so it stays in Whanganui. I think that's why we get good support.

"Out of town feedback was good too, they all said they'll be back next year. It's set in their diary."

Katey Reynish from Wairarapa goes for the steampunk look.

Katey Reynish, from Wai Steam NZ, was up from Wairarapa and took the opportunity to get kitted out in steampunk attire.

She was last in Whanganui for Vintage Weekend and was keen to catch up with vintage car owners she'd met then.

"It's going to be a good day."

Izzy Wood, 4, finds a bike that fits

Whanganui's Claire Richter was sitting in the 1974 Dodge Tradesmen she travels the country in with her partner Tony Baird.

However, it wasn't the van but 3-year-old Great Dane Murphy getting attention from the punters.

The pair belong to the River City Van Club and try to take a trip each months, Murphy riding along.

Aurora, 2, and Xavier Wilson ... just hanging out.

"We go away with the van club a lot and do a lot of campouts and have get-togethers at people's houses."

The Road Rodders began hosting the event after a similar biennial event run by Rotary ended.

All proceeds from the weekend's event will go to Riding for the Disabled, Surf Lifesaving and the Coastguard.

The Coastguard boat was on display at the grounds too and Bruce Peterson said the welcome donation would got to running the service.

"It all goes to the running costs of this vessel," he said.

"This boat's funded by the community so that's why we come to events like this. And we're always looking for more crew and out shore volunteers."

People can email coastguard.wanganui@xtra.co.nz for more information.