Just on 140 people booked to take it in turns colouring in the giant Rainbow Serpent outline, the perfect number for the 140 metre-long blocks allocated to each.

Tamworth NAIDOC committee members Joanne Stead and Kaliela weren't surprised at the event getting booked out.

They were pleased and proud Covid regulations proved no barrier to this creative grouping solutions.

"We've also had a few comments and photos form people passing by, which is really nice," Ms Thornton said.

"It's very inspiring, really, this bringing together of family," Ms Stead added.

Uncle Neville Sampson kicked off events with a traditional smoking ceremony at Bicentennial Park just across the road.

He said words could not express what it meant to him to see the Aboriginal community coming together to bring to life this particular dream-time spirit.

"The Rainbow Serpent is one of our favourites, and seeing this ... it gives me a wonderful feeling I can't describe," he said.

READ ALSO

Everyone was given their own box of chalk to carry out their creative visions, and it certainly wasn't something to be done in good clothes, despite the beauty of the rainbow chalk dust.

For parched mouths, the committee had drink vouchers for all volunteers who had completed their section.