This year’s Dapto Country Show will have a strong focus on animals. Photo: Supplied.
Despite the decline of agricultural shows around the country, the Dapto Country Show remains strong, being one of NSW’s longest-running shows and marking its 167th event this Saturday (28 September).
Honing in on its agricultural roots, this weekend’s show will have a strong focus on animals, including a second day devoted entirely to horses, and is expected to draw thousands.
Dapto A&H Society Ltd CEO Katrina Novak said the Dapto Country Show had been a tradition since 1857 and was proud to be staging its 167th event.
“Dapto proudly hosts the only agricultural show still taking place in the Wollongong local government area,” Katrina said.
“Each year, the show draws in thousands of visitors, and this year’s event is jam-packed with entertainment.
“There’s a huge emphasis on animals, featuring everything from draft horses and Brahman cows to the farmyard filled with baby animals, sheep shearing demonstrations, cow milking and reptile shows.”
A poultry competition will bring a huge display of chooks and ducks, while Hephner the Alpaca and Charlie the Brahman bull will make an appearance.
Dogs In the Park NSW Festival will also be part of the show, with dog competitions and flyball demonstrations, where dogs showcase their speed and agility.
Katrina said the arena would host continuous performances throughout the day, including a wood chop competition, Outback Stockman Jack Show and Farmer Dave’s Muttley Crew.
She said around the grounds, visitors would find live pro wrestling, singing performances, a magician and, of course, the rides and side show alley, with unlimited ride armbands able to be purchased on the day.
“The Tap House will feature country music on stage all day and will also be the gathering spot for the adorable Mini Cowboy and Cowgirl competition,” she said.
She said the Mini Cowboy and Cowgirl competition was a fun addition aimed at two- to 12-year-olds, with all entrants receiving a prize.
Other attractions include Marlie Draught Horse Stud Show, where visitors will be taken on a journey down memory lane before tractors were invented, when the farmer and their horses were the backbone of the country, along with kids zones featuring workshops, interactive talks and face painting.
There will also be the Dinosaur Encounter, with activities including dinosaur skin stamps, a feeding dinosaurs station, walk through trailer/museum, binoculars to study dinosaurs in the distance, digging for fossils in sand, an activity colour-in table with craft and a walk around T Rex and Triceps.
This year, the show would also extend to Sunday, with a day dedicated to horses.
Katrina said the horse events were being held on the Sunday to better accommodate the space requirements needed for horse trucks, with free entry to the public for that day.
Dapto Country Show will be held at The Groundz Precinct, also known as Dapto Showgrounds, Saturday, 28 September from 10 am to 5 pm and tickets can be purchased online. Family passes are $50, adults $20, children and seniors $10 and children under three free.
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