HORSHAM Show organisers are ready for the first five-day event in the show’s history.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The 139th show will open on Saturday night with a twilight riverfront-only carnival.
Horsham Agricultural Society secretary Andrea Cross said the full show would kick off the following day at Horsham Showgrounds at 10am.
She said a highlight of this year’s event would be the use of the showgrounds’ cattle shed.
“We haven’t had cattle for two years, and this year we’ve put a lot of energy into making the shed a venue in its own right,” she said.
“We’ll be using the shed for our pet show, and Horsham Dog Obedience Club will be doing work in there.
“We’ve got activities in areas we haven’t used previously, and we’ll also be using a new entry point for the show this year, in McBryde Street.”
Mrs Cross said the show program was full-on, with traditional show competitions and major entertainment attractions running on Sunday ahead of the show’s staple fireworks display at night. Sunday will also include a new retro-style licensed food court area.
Mrs Cross said Monday at the show was a family fun day, with entertainment including the Rooftop Express Show. The show combines comedy with showmanship, stunts, horses and cattle.
“We’re also building the world’s biggest cubby house on Monday, and that will be an exhibition for the following two days of the show, with free entry to the public,” Mrs Cross said.
“The horse show will run on Tuesday and Wednesday.”
Mrs Cross said competition entries this year were pleasing.
“Last year we had no entries in the junior photography competition, but this year we've got 18,” she said.
“We've marketed fairly heavily on social media and that's paid off.
“Our sponsors have been more generous than usual, and that gives us real hope for our 140th event.
“This year will be a bit of a prelude to next year’s event, to see how the community responds to the five days.
“We’ve gone from a two-day midweek show, to a weekend show, to five days, and that takes a lot of work.”