THOUSANDS of people are expected to flow through the gates at the 159th Mount Gambier Agricultural and Horticultural Society Spring Show today and tomorrow with the event promising an action-packed program.
With an expected crowd of more than 10,000 people, excitement was building for the event this week as rides, stalls and animals arrived in the city.
Hundreds of primary school students were fortunate enough to get an early look at what people could expect in the Agricultural Learning Centre earlier this week.
Today the rest of the South East community get its chance to enjoy the festivities and show society president Danielle Tulak said this year’s program had something for everyone.
“I could not fit much more on the program, there is something that families can enjoy happening every 15 minutes,” Ms Tulak said.
“People could be here all day if they wished and there would be something to do because the committee prides itself of producing a show, which has a continuous rolling schedule of things for people to do.
“If we can get the numbers through the gate, I’m sure people will not be disappointed with this year’s show.”
One of the major attractions this year includes the Isuzu Team D-MAX, which is Australia’s longest running and most famous precision driving team.
Cowgirls with Wings Trick Riding is expected to raise a few people’s eyebrows, while the spectacular fireworks display always draws a crowd.
In addition, Ms Tulak said there was a number of other agricultural attractions and exhibits for people to see.
“Not many people realise the whole showgrounds is 72 acres, so it is a really big show across two days,” Ms Tulak said.
“There is not going to be a lot of spare grass this year because we have had a large support from our traders both locally and interstate.
“For the first year ever we will have a food and wine expo, which is really exciting.”
The championship dogs will be celebrating 140 years in show with more than 400 entries, which Ms Tulak said was a unique achievement for a regional show.
“Outside of the Royal Adelaide Show we are the only surviving A & H Society with championship dogs, so that’s hats off to the committee who organise the dog event in conjunction with the kennel club,” she said.
“It’s an important event for competitors – whether it’s poultry, cattle, horticulture or arts and craft this is the largest of the shows so people are really invested in the results and the competitions are really competitive, which is great.”
For adrenaline junkies, sideshow alley will boast gravity-defying amusement rides, as well as games and stalls.
Ms Tulak hoped the community would get along and support the biggest community event on the city’s calendar.
“For us to be able to continue to create such a great event we need the public behind us,” she said.
“We need the community’s support and we want their feedback so we can continue to make it bigger and better.”
