Charlotte Varcoe
IT will be a sight for sore eyes next weekend at the Mount Gambier Showgrounds with rides, show-bags and more available to welcome patrons back to the annual spring show.
Celebrating its 160th anniversary, the Mount Gambier Spring Agricultural and Horticultural Show will still go ahead despite Covid-19 restrictions which have required a number of changes.
Patrons will have to enter the grounds through one gate opposite the South Eastern Hotel.
Across the two days, six-hour session times will be implemented with Friday 10am until 4pm and Saturday 9am until 3pm and again at 4pm until 10pm with a deep clean scheduled between sessions.
Each session will have up to 5000 tickets available for online purchase only. Tickets will not be available for purchase at the gate.
Show society president Danielle Tulak said, despite the stern rules implemented for this year’s event, committee members were ecstatic the show was able to go ahead.
“People will need to realise that they may need to park somewhere else and walk to the showgrounds which is advised because the Covid-19 testing station will still be on the site, just fenced off,” Ms Tulak said.
“This will most likely add congestion to the front of the show and we really want patrons to be aware of this when coming to the area.
“All of the changes are part of our Covid-19 management plan and having digital tickets only was one of the strictest rules.
“This year’s show will look a little different to previous years because the public will not be able to enter where they typically would, but we will have security on stand-by to point people in the right direction.
“We will not have indoor competitions this year, but schools and other organisations have been handing over artwork for displays which will be available, and there will also not be a log-chopping competition due to competitors mostly being from Victoria.”
She said despite the slight differences, there would still be plenty for patrons to entertain themselves, with Cindy Krause coming along for floral arrangements and speaking about establishing vegetable gardens and other activities.
“We will also have Bunnings presenting sessions about horticulture, magicians and a tribal motorbike show,” Ms Tulak said.
“We have dealt with some last minute cancellations with traders from outside our travel bubble and have been limited to South Australian and Western Australian entertainment but we are just doing the best we can to get the event off the ground.”
Alongside the log-chopping competition, the annual dog show was also cancelled due to judges needing to travel from Queensland.
“We will also have security and six full-time cleaners throughout the two days who will clean throughout the days alongside our Covid-19 marshalls,” Ms Tulak said.
“We are just really happy we can get the event off the ground in a Covid-19 safe way and show that it can be done and hope the community will get behind us as well.”
Other shows across the region, including Bordertown, Millicent, Kingston and Naracoorte, are also planning to go ahead following difficulties last year.
