The event returned to Lang Street and surrounds in its full capacity from Friday to Sunday for the first time since the pandemic.

The 2020 installment was cancelled, while the show and shine was called off last year due to inclement weather leaving Kurri Sportsground unsuitable for the car display, where the festival had to be temporarily moved to due to COVID restrictions.

But there were no crowd restrictions this year and hundreds of vintage vehicles pre-dating 1978 were able to line the streets once again.

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It was Jim Hawkes' first time at the Nostalgia Festival, having recently moved to Kurri Kurri.

He exhibited his 1927 Graham Brothers 1 Tonne truck and the popular festival was its debut display.

"Since I've been a very young lad I've had an interest in old cars," he said.

"It was re-registered in 2021, so it's the newest one in collection.

"It was found as a wreck, and I had enough bit and pieces from previous restorations to put it together in unrestored form."

Jim said despite the rustic look of the truck sitting among shiny hot rods, plenty of people stopped to have a look.

"It had lots of interest, a surprising amount of interest," he said with a laugh.

The first-time festival goer said he was very impressed with the event, and will definitely attend again in the future.

Jessica McGarry has attended the festival several times before, but this was her first time exhibiting, meaning she decided to get a bit more into the swing of things.

"This was my first time bringing the caravan and fully dressing up," she said.

"I spent eight months revamping the van, and it was ready so the rain wasn't going to stop us."

Jessica said she loves the history of restoration and how the old vehicles "never age".

"Things aren't the way they used to be, it was so simple back in the day," she said.

She said she loved the event for the "atmosphere and the people".

"I love the country town, it's a really good event," she said.

"It's just wonderful, I've never had a bad experience."

Jessica's sister also got right into the theme, with their mother hand making her dress and Jessica doing her hair and makeup.

As well as the vintage car display, the much-loved event included live music and dancing, best dressed fashion competitions, a retro market and ticketed events around the town.

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