Popular activities such as ferret racing will return to the 2022 Rutherglen Agricultural Show.
After a two-year hiatus, local agricultural shows are set to return next month creating fun for families on both sides of the border while promoting the region’s vibrant agricultural community.
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The 142nd Corowa Show will kick off on October 9 featuring family favourites such as the animal nursery and wildlife display, horse events, sheep and poultry displays and the crowd-favourite Miss Showgirl competition.
This year, admittance will be $5 for adults while children and concession holders can enter for free, largely thanks to the former federal government’s recovery grants aimed at supporting agricultural shows across the country.
Corowa Show Society President Norm Wales said it is great to have the show return after COVID-19 restrictions and lockdowns resulted in the committee having to pull the pin in 2020 and 2021.
“It is pleasing that our show committee has decided the local Corowa Show will return again after the unfortunate cancellation of the 2021 show,” he said.
“The committee have been working very hard behind the scenes to bring back the much-loved family event.
“Every year, together with our normal ongoing attractions, we certainly look for added entertainment for the communities’ enjoyment and this year we hope what we have organised this year will do just that.
“This annual event has a long history, is at the heart of our community and we hope the community will get behind us and ensure it’s success.”
Show secretary Jan McKenna said preparations were well under way at this stage and lots of organising had been going on behind the scenes over the last couple of months.
“We’ve got all our main exhibits returning and lots of entertainment for young children including Balloonatic Bruce and the Penultimate Pirate package,” Ms McKenna said.
“We are hoping for some more sheep and fleece entries and encourage our local farmers to enter.
“We would also appreciate any volunteer help as we get closer to the show. We’ve got a long proud history and have worked hard to make sure we continue Corowa’s favourite family event.”
Meanwhile, the 132nd Rutherglen Ag Show will return on Sunday, October 16 with a new direction to appeal to younger families in the district.
Ag Society President Greg Lumby said the show was a tradition no one wants to lose.
“This year, the show will be running a little different. We won’t be charging an entry fee to the showgrounds which hope will allow more people to attend the show and enjoy the displays on competitions on offer,” Mr Lumby said.
“We will also have a country market and are encouraging more stallholders with handmade items to attend. The types of stalls we are looking for include home grown produce, handmade crafts and homemade baked goods and preserves. We really want to showcase our agricultural community.
It’s showtime: Corowa PA&H Society Committee members Bert Watts, Sara Love, Jan McKenna, Jenni Delany, Darian Gaffy and Norm Wales are thrilled to see the show return in 2022.
“We will also be running the show in conjunction with the inaugural Rutherglen Vintage Motorbike Show with Caffeine N Machine which will add to the attraction on the day.”
Mr Lumby said after not running the show for two years, it had been difficult to get the volunteers required to help with the running of some events including horses.
“We’ve still got the traditional sideshows and many of our pavilion exhibits including the garden club’s flower show, the school displays, poultry and produce,” Mr Lumby said.
“There will also be ferret racing, a dog jumping competition, pet parade and animal nursery.
“Prime lambs and stud sheep will be on display in the sheep pavilion as well as cattle display.
“The tent pegging competition will also be an exciting event for spectators.”
Mr Lumby said the Ag Society were very fortunate to have O’Connors Farm Machinery come on board as the major sponsor for the next three years.
“Their support ensures our show will go ahead,” he said.
“This year is a new direction for the ag society. We’ve listened to feedback from the community, and we hope the changes we have made will be well supported.
“Times are changing, and we want to continue to grow the event. Our fear is if we don’t get the show up and running this year, it will be harder and harder to resume in years to come. It’s going to be a fantastic day for the whole family and we look forward to seeing everyone attend.”
