Hunter Stadium precinct was alive and buzzing in the lead up to the Knights RiseForAlex game after an energetic performance by Jessica Mauboy in front of a packed crowd.
The precinct area featured carnival rides, a RiseForAlex photo booth and a junior league centre with the afternoon culminating in Mauboy's performance on the main stage.
Ex-Knight Danny Buderus was in the precinct area meeting fans and was overwhelmed by the number of people who had come out to support Alex.
"It makes you proud to be from this area," Danny said.
"They rally behind any cause.
"It's an inspiring story and it's only going to get better." Ex-Knight Mark Hughes was also out and about enjoying the festivities in the precinct before the game.
"It's so exciting, I've been here for an hour and people having been queuing at the front gate," he said.
"People are flowing in from everywhere.
"The weather's not great, but the people of Newcastle, I don't think it scares them."
Hughes described Alex as inspirational and believed it was a huge occasion for the Club and the town to have him back home for the game.
