The Rotary clubs of Ballarat combined effort celebrated their sixth annual running of the Swap Meet with community partners on site at the Ballarat Airport on Tuesday night. Rotary Swap Meet chairman Lindsay Florence said it was a final chance to take a breath before the real physical part of the meet starts.

This year’s meet has already attracted more than 2700 stallholders, including interstate vendors. Popular with backyard car restoration enthusiasts, Mr Florence said the Swap Meet was a cultural movement in Australia and the United States. Big meets, like Ballarat, attracted tourists from across the nation.

“We’ve had a group come one year for a family reunion at the Swap Meet,” Mr Florence said. “There’s an incredible culture about meets, they’re very social.”

Ballarat mayor Samantha McIntosh officially opened the Swap Meet.