As most residents fled their homes, the Yarra Valley Racing Club acted as an evacuation point for about 600 local people, as well as being the main staging point for Victoria Police, the CFA, SES and army.

Chief executive officer Brett Shambrook said the club, like many other local businesses, was severely impacted by Black Saturday due to a lack of visitors to the area following the fires.

But the opportunity to assist during the devastation was a highlight of the racing club's year, he said.

"The club was honoured that it was able to play a major role in the Black Saturday bushfire recovery effort."

Shambrook said the club hoped the coming racing season would help reclaim the Yarra Valley as one of the top tourist places in Victoria.

"I think our coming spring carnival events are a big announcement to the wider community that the Yarra Valley is back up and running and we are in desperate need of visitors returning to the area."

The Yarra Valley Racing season kicks off on Saturday with a Food and Wine Cox Plate Day, followed by a Melbourne Cup Day harness meeting on November 3 and a series of Christmas events on November 28 and December 4 and 18.

The Yarra Valley Food Group will be on site to showcase its products and there'll be a Fashions on the Field. Children's activities, live bands and roving entertainers will also be among the range of atttractions offered.

More details: www.yarravalleyracing.com.au