Car enthusiasts are already gathering at Exhibition Park in Canberra where car shows, camping and live performances will be happening for the rest of this week.

The crowd appears to be buzzing with anticipation for the long-awaited event.

The gates opened at 11am and there was a queue of several hundred people.

The cars have formed up already for the city cruise as they began the day with a welcome to country.

There is a ballot of approximately 500 vehicles prepared to roll down Northbourne Avenue from about noon.

Police have provided some direction on stage for all the drivers on how the logistics will work to minimise traffic issues.

Crowds set up camp along the street to get a good view of the car models throughout the day.

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Each intersection along Northbourne Avenue will be managed by police to give traffic direction to help streamline the parade of cars.

The 500 cars will be travelling from EPIC to London Circuit before turning back to the showgrounds where the remainder of the event will occur.

This is the first time they have had the cruise since the light rail was built. Usually there is a green light corridor for the vehicles but that will be a little more complicated this time because the light rail operates to an independent signalling system.

Elite car shows are still under wraps in the main judging pavilion with covers set to come off for the first time on Friday night.

The spectacle is Canberra's first major event since the beginning of the pandemic, following significant COVID safety measures while at EPIC.

Under the COVID safety plan, anyone who finds they have symptoms is to "pack their belongings whilst wearing PPE and practicing good hand hygiene and should not attend the broader event or any other public place in the ACT".

Masks are also mandatory at all Summernats indoor venues and will be encouraged at all other times when physical distancing is not possible.

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