In a rare occasion, the region's famous wine tasting took a backseat with the Hunter Valley Airshow lighting up the skies in a celebration of aircraft and aerobatics.
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The two-day event included five hours of airborne action each day from impressive aircraft such as historical warbirds, jet fighters and Paul Bennet's Wolf Pitts Pro - one of only two of its kind in the world. Paul Bennet Airshows is behind the Cessnock Airport event, which was held in Maitland in 2017.
Airshow spokesman Andy McLennan said the two-day extravaganza had exceeded the organisation's expectations.
"We are loosely estimating that we've had about 7000 people through [on Sunday], and about 5000 people on Saturday," he said.
"We've gone a little better than our expectations. It's chock a block. It's been absolutely amazing and we've had great patronage."
On the ground, there were also rides, a motocross display, aircraft displays, wine tasting, street food vendors, vintage fire trucks, military vehicles, paper aeroplane contests and flight simulators.
Mr McLennan added the motocross bike jump over a plane had attracted huge crowd numbers with people in awe during the stunt.
"People's jaws have literally been dropping. It's been one of the biggest highlights," he said.
"I think we are the only ones in the world who do the jump so it's pretty popular.
"The feedback that we get is that people love that there is something for everyone - it's not just planes.
"And of course, everyone loves it when we have the big explosions."
With large crowd numbers, Paul Bennet Airshows are hopeful to take to the region's sky again very soon.
"We aren't sure if it's going to be yearly or bi-annual ... We have to keep the show fresh but we definitely want to come back," Mr McLennan said.
"It's been a great successful show. It's a mixture of everything.
"I think it's a combination of how much we can fit into one show - both airborne and ground based."