Gates to open on Gunnedah Show

This year, the show is celebrating its 130^th year and the show society is pulling out all the stops for the special event, which starts on Friday.

“Prep is going flat out at the moment,” Gunnedah Show Society president Rob Witts said.

“The arena is green and is looking really good.”

In the last few days, the sideshows have arrived and set-up is well under way while the main arena is seeing a flurry of activity with volunteers setting up the showjumping arena, dressage arenas and show rings. Stables have also been erected for competitors.

Gunnedah Shire Council’s maintenance staff have also popped in to give the grounds a “last minute manicure”.

Mr Witts assures the NVI that the khaki weed that gave show-goers grief last year was “under control”  so locals can throw on their pluggers with no concern for their feet.

“There’s no problem with thongs and sandels this year with the show,” he said.

Despite the many hours of hard labour that must be put in, the president said he was looking forward to seeing the grounds ready to go and everything come together.

“I’m really looking forward to people coming through the gates,” he said.

“It would be good to see people come to the grand parade.”

Highlights of the show will include the opening of the art and photography competition and showgirl announcement on Friday night, fireworks, a working dog demonstration, show jumping, animal nursery, rodeos and Just Dance competition. Locals are encouraged to get involved in the junior tug-o-war competition at 5.15pm, and after dark, the wife-carrying competition and senior tug-o-war, with $750 up for grabs.

Mr Witts said rural communities were seeing tough times and an event like the show illustrated just how industrious and enduring the Gunnedah shire is.

“It’s a hard time in the rural sector but people are still banding together to have a go and put on the show,” he said.

The president hopes that despite the relentless demands of the land, landholders will dust off and drop into the show over the three days.

“I do hope they give themselves time to get out and enjoy themselves for the afternoon,” he said.

“It’s a chance to have a chat to people they haven’t seen since last year’s show and enjoy the entertainment the committee has put on,” Mr Witts said.

Reflecting on the major milestone, Mr Witts said the show is “130 years and going stronger”.

“I don’t think there’d be any other event that would have been running for 130 years,” he said.

“The Gunnedah show is the biggest event put on by the Gunnedah community.

“It’s a showcase of your district. It’s an opportunity for producers or artists or photographers or bakers to show their wares and meet with other people with the same likes.”

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The showground gates open at 6am on Friday and 6.30am on Saturday and Sunday. Members are to enter via the View Street gate and park on the netball fields, while the general public need to enter via the Hunter Street gate and park on the tech paddock.

A family pass is $40, adults (18 years and over) is $15, children (5-18 years old) is $10, children (under 5 years old) are free and aged pensioners are $10.

To access the show program or get more information, visit http://www.gunnedahshowsociety.com.au/