SPRING rain did not dampen the spirits of showgoers at the 155th Penola Show, with the community rallying behind the annual
tradition.
The Penola Pastoral, Agricultural and Horticultural Society was forced to abandon planned fireworks, live music and its heifer showcase as wet weather impacted crowd numbers.
While it put a dampener on the Friday night entertainment, warmer conditions on Saturday meant a healthy number of locals and visitors flowed through the gates at McCorquindale Park.
Show society president Kerry DeGaris said the decision to cancel Friday night’s entertainment was difficult but necessary.
“Numbers were down on the Friday night mainly because of the weather but they picked up again on the Saturday,” Ms DeGaris said.
“We do not have official numbers as of yet and will not until next week but we are happy overall with how the show went.”
The Farmers Challenge, which tests the agricultural skills of particpants across a series of tasks, was also postponed until early Saturday morning.
“The weather on the Saturday was much better and made the atmosphere much more enjoyable,” Ms DeGaris said.
“The feedback that we have received so far is positive and everyone who attended was in good spirits.”
Entries remained steady for the numerous indoor and outdoor competitions held over the weekend, according to Ms DeGaris.
The second annual Bloke’s Chocolate Cake competition was claimed by visiting Western Australian cattle judge Murray Williams, while young Penola resident Ivy Wurst claimed a number of prizes with her goose eggs and honey suckles a treat for the judges.
“I am excited to win, but I am more excited to beat my brother,” Ms Wurst said.
“I do help mum bake at home and it was great to enter my baking into the show.”
Ms DeGaris said the community support from the weekend was fantastic.
“We have such a great community and fantastic support and the team work from the society was also fantastic,” Ms DeGaris said.
“It was quite a stressful day on Friday to make the decision as to whether to cancel the activities but it was the right decision.
“We do have weather events like this and it was unfortunate but overall the weekend was great, the weather was kind and the horses on Sunday were beautiful.”
