The Koorawatha Show proved to be a successful and enjoyable event for those who attended, despite the blistering heat.
Mary Gee, Secretary of the Koorawatha Show Society, noted that while the extreme temperatures may have kept some people away, the overall turnout was on par with previous years.
“The show was extremely hot and dry, and I think it may have put a few people off,” said Mary. “I don’t know that our numbers were down dramatically, but they were probably on par with last year. I wouldn’t blame anyone for not braving the heat.”
The heat also impacted some of the animal competitions, particularly in the horse section. “Our horse numbers were down, and they had also been down the day before at Boorowa,” Gee explained. “We do a bit of a catch, where competitors from Boorowa stay the night at our showground and compete here. People told me that numbers were down at Boorowa, but the quality was still good.”
Despite lower numbers in some sections, the cattle competition saw a positive turnout. “The cattle numbers were up with good participation,” Gee noted. “The sheep and other exhibits were on par with previous years.”
While the weather posed challenges, those who did attend had a great time. “Overall, everyone seemed to have a good day. The competitors were pleased with the event and enjoyed themselves, and many have already said they’ll be back next year. So, I figure we must be doing something right.”
One of the show’s highlights was the Show and Shine event, which featured a variety of cars and motorbikes. “We had a few different car clubs attend, including an ’05 Commodore, vintage motorbikes, and classic cars. They had a good time and were happy with the day,” said Gee.
In addition to the competitions, families and children enjoyed a variety of activities. “We had free entertainment, including a face painter who was kept busy all day, a rock climbing wall, a jumping castle, and a merry go round,” Gee explained. “The snake man was also a big hit. He’s been here a few times, and people find him really interesting. He talks about the good and bad points of snakes. He thinks all snakes are good snakes, but I don’t think many people agree with him!” she joked. “He also does a first aid demonstration for snake bites, which people always find helpful.”
Looking ahead, the Koorawatha Show Society is already planning for next year. “We’ll start working on next year’s show after the AGM in July. We round up sponsorship in August, and it takes a good six months to plan everything. We work on everything organising sponsors, entertainment, and showbooks during that time,” said Gee.
Gee expressed deep gratitude to the volunteers who make the event possible. “I’d like to thank all of the volunteers. We had some awesome volunteers who worked tirelessly all day. If it weren’t for them, there wouldn’t be a show in the first place,” she said. “Some people don’t attend meetings, but come show weekend, they step up and ask, ‘What can I do?’ and have been brilliant for years.”
This year’s show also featured 25 market stalls, offering everything from handmade goods to locally produced products. Gee emphasised the importance of diversity among the vendors. “We try to make sure we have a variety of vendors so it’s not just the same things being sold. Our lady goes through the list and ensures we cover a wide range of items.” Despite the challenges, the Koorawatha Show was a success, and Gee was proud of the team’s effort. “It was a bit of trial and error this year. We had some new faces join the committee, but we managed to pull the day off, and that’s what matters.” The Koorawatha Show faced the elements this year, but thanks to the dedication of volunteers, community support, and perseverance, it was a day to remember for all involved. With planning already underway for next year, the show will undoubtedly continue to thrive in the years to come.
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