IT’S show time!
Yes, all-things country will be celebrated in the Hastings again next week, when the 104th annual Wauchope Show takes place.
From 8am on Friday 25 April until late on Saturday 26 April, the Wauchope Showground will come alive as farmers and horse riders congregate to do battle for prizes and enjoy the area’s premier sporting event.
Wauchope Show Society president Bob Kennett has been coming to the show since he was a small child but says it still holds magic for him.
“Mum and dad used to bring me when I was a little fella because they exhibited vegetables, jams and cakes,” Bob said.
“I have been on the board of the show society for 32 years.
“The part that keeps me involved is just the joy on people’s faces when they get here. It just puts a smile on. And when they are enjoying it, I am. I think the show will always be special for me, however many times I see it.”
Bob believes the local show is an institution that should be treasured because it helps keep us in touch with our early farming roots and European pioneering history.
“We’ve got to keep our background and history and I believe one of the best ways of doing it is with a show,” he said.
However, he believes the format still needs tweaking so that it stays fresh and new.
In keeping with that, the 104th show has a number of events and attractions that are new this year, or haven’t been seen for some time.
Because the first day falls on Anzac Day, the society is paying tribute to our Diggers with a special Anzac Day service with the help of the RSL at around 11am.
The stage in the main pavilion will have a special exhibition of World War I memorabilia.
The High Velocity Trick Riding show on Friday and Saturday evenings at 6pm is a new attraction. The trick riding involves stunt riding with horses, including some death-defying feats in which riders hang upside down that will have you gripping your seat.
The Farmers Challenge is another new event. Teams of four aged 16-35 – including one woman – will compete in eight or nine different events, ranging from erecting a wire fence to hay stacking and putting a pump together. The heats will be at 5.30pm on Friday and finals 6.30pm on Saturday.
The Demolition Derby hasn’t been held for many years, but will make a return this year, replacing the bull riding at 8pm on Saturday night. A car will also be raffled for some lucky ticket-holder to drive in the derby. Bob is already planning to ask someone else to drive it if he wins!
Trotting is also back on the program after an 11-year absence.
Campdrafting will be held at 3.30pm on Friday, followed by working dog trials in which dogs have to herd cattle around a course.
Horse events will be held on both days, ranging from led classes to show-jumping and the crowd-pleasing six-bar competition in which the jumps just keep getting higher until only one horse and rider remain.
Dairy cattle will be judged on Friday and beef cattle on Saturday. Goats and poultry will also be judged on Saturday.
Seven young women will be competing in the Miss Showgirl competition this year, which is slightly up on past years.
Strong entries are also expected for the flower and craft competitions in the pavilion, which are judged on the Wednesday and Thursday before the show so show-goers can see which ones won.
One traditional program highlight most definitely making a return this year is the grand parade and official show opening, held by tradition on the second day of the show at 2.30pm. Just about every competitor in the show will turn out for this, with the result a show-stopping bright and colourful mix of animals and humans parading around the main ring.
Nor will refreshments be lacking. The ladies auxiliary will be there in full force in the pavilion, with anything from home-made scones to hot meals available.
Lions and other community groups will man a barbecue, and a licensed bar will operate from noon each day.
For the children, there will be an animal nursery on the Saturday, face-painting and balloons, plus a fun competition in which they have to answer a number of questions about exhibits and drop their entry in a box to go in the draw for a prize.
There will also be plenty of fun amusement rides for the young and young at heart.
Most years, the show attracts about 7000 people, and Bob is hopeful that they will top it this year if the weather is good.
“You never know, we may get even up closer to the 10,000 we attracted at our 100-year show,” he said.
How much it costs
ADMISSION costs $14 for adults, $7 for a child/age pensioner. Discount group tickets and two-day passes are also available.
