The festival kicked off on Thursday night with Glitz 'n' Glamour @ The Hydro where the Ambassador Quest entrants formally introduced themselves to the community.

Saturday was the busiest day on the SunRice Festival calendar, with more than 90 entries in the parade and thousands of people lining the street to catch a glimpse.

Festival director Sally Doig said there were many highlights across the weekend.

"For me it's been all about the community participation," she said.

"Whether it's having a float in the parade, a stall in the park, helping out with crowd control or packing up and cleaning up, it's just been fantastic.

"That's what the festival is all about.

"Getting the community involved is just fantastic and something we are really grateful for."

Sunday was highlighted by Leeton's Longest Lunch and the balloon glow at No. 1 Oval, with the Riverina Skate Championships and the Water Wheel Garden Club open gardens tour rounding out the celebrations yesterday.

Many other small events kept festival-goers occupied throughout the weekend, with Mrs Doig also impressed with this year's Ambassador Quest.

"The girls raised more than $80,000 and, I would have to check the records, but that is one of the best results we've had in recent years," she said.

"I've got records that go back to the 1970s and I'm pretty sure the biggest total in those years was around the $70,000 mark.

"It's again another sign of how great this community is.

"I'm so proud of those girls and of the town we live in.

"It was a fantastic festival and the positive feedback we've been receiving gives us (the committee) a boost going forward to the 2016 event."