THE Millicent Show returns next weekend with three days of events, trade stalls and sideshows – after having been cancelled last year due to Covid-19 restrictions.
Millicent Show General Committee senior vice president Sue Vanderheul said preparations were on track with sideshow owners beginning to arrive and set up in the always popular sideshow alley.
“Preparations are coming on really really well, the grounds look absolutely fantastic at this stage,” she said.
Show goers can expect to see a range of attractions including an aerobatic display by 13 times Australian aerobatic champion, 82 year old Chris Sperou OAM on Friday evening and Saturday afternoon.
Always popular, the motocross racing will be hosted, as it has for some years, by the Mount Gambier Junior Motorcycle Club, on an upgraded and modified track. The premier event of the motocross, the Dale Teagle Memorial Feature Race, will be run on Friday evening under lights and races will also be run on Saturday.
Other attractions include lawnmower racing and yard dog competitions on Saturday along with a unique vehicle and stationary engine display.
Livestock being judged at the show will include stud sheep and poultry, along with three days of horses-in-action, Millicent being one of the only three day shows outside of Adelaide.
The grand parade will be held at 3.15pm on Saturday followed by the popular demo derby where specially prepared cars compete to be the last car moving on the show oval.
Ms Vanderheul said most of the show favourites would be held this year, but there were a couple of exceptions.
“In terms of the indoor, we cut out the cooking, jams, jellies and preserves, but that’s the only change indoors,” said Ms Vanderheul.
“The shearing unfortunately couldn’t go ahead due to all the Covid requirements; [organisers] were hampered a little with a lot of people being stuck interstate.
“That’s probably the biggest cancellation, but everything else is pretty much the same.”
While Covid-19 has made some of the planning requirements increasingly difficult, Ms Vanderheul believed it has had little impact on both the size and interest in the event.
“We still have heaps of trade,” she said.
“In fact, trade enquiries have been up slightly.”
It is welcome news as the show committee have had little opportunity to raise money given the cancellation of last year’s event.
“We couldn’t have done it without our sponsors; they have provided money, prizes and other support,” she said.
The Wattle Range Council has also been supportive of the show’s committee, providing various services in consultation with Ms Vanderheul.
Prepaid passes are available from both the ticket office and online – accessed by scanning the QR code on the show’s website.
Tickets can also be bought on the day at the entrance accessed via Adelaide Road, using cash or Eftpos facilities.
For more information on the show’s scheduled events visit the Millicent Show website.
