10 January 2024

Kick up your heels as country shows promise a ton of fun

| Katrina Condie
Start the conversation
two people enjoying a carnival ride

From thrilling rides and action-packed competitions to amazing pavilion exhibitions, there’s something for everyone on this year’s ag show circuit. Photo: Justin’s Photo Works.

It’s that time of year with the New South Wales agricultural shows set to bring loads of thrills, spills and stiff competition to regional towns, from Bega to Boorowa and beyond.

Whether it’s cattle showing, horse events, pavilion exhibitions, sideshows or woodchopping action, there’s something for everyone at your local show, with each event slightly different โ€“ there’s even a wife-carrying competition!

The 2024 show circuit will swing into action with the Bowral event over the weekend of 13 and 14 January.

Also planned for 13 January, the Pambula Show has been scaled back this year, with the show committee announcing that all events and activities, except for the horse program, have been cancelled due to rebuilding work being carried out at the Pambula Sporting Complex.

READ ALSO Folk Festival headliner draws on life experiences and ‘human weirdness’ for song inspiration

The following weekend, there’s plenty planned for the Albion Park Show from 19 to 21 January, with showjumping, cow milking, sheepdog and chook-washing demonstrations as well as a live-reptile display.

Albion Park is one of the biggest shows on the coast, where you can meet angora goats, giggle at the duck races and be blown away by a whip-cracking display, Freestyle FMX, a V8 ute show and demolition derby ahead of a spectacular fireworks display.

The country Candelo Show on 21 January is a must-visit, with fast-paced woodchop and dog-jumping competitions, while the animal nursery gives children a real hands-on experience.

A number of shows are planned for 26 and 27 January, including the Bundarra Show and Rodeo, Tenterfield Show and the 176th Kiama Show, which has been run continually since it was established in 1848.

The Eurobodalla Show, on 27 and 28 January, has a huge line-up of competitions and attractions, including a woodchopping exhibition, and vintage car and antique tractor and machinery displays. There’s also a whip-cracking competition, ute show, eating competition, a wife-carrying race and an action-packed rodeo.

Sample some of the best the Eurobodalla coast has to offer with home brew, winemaking and oyster competitions.

four people in a country fair sack race

Get the family together for some good old-fashioned fun at your nearest agricultural show. Photo: The Bungendore Show Facebook.

The Berry Show, on 2 and 3 February, will celebrate the town’s heritage with bullock and draught horse teams on show, as well as a freestyle motorcross display, milking and sheep-shearing demonstrations, beaut utes and hay-stacking fun followed by a rodeo with fireworks.

Also on 3 February are the Rydal and Uralla shows, with Nimmitabel being held over two days.

The weekend of 9 to 11 February is packed with shows at Cobargo, Nowra, Dunedoo, Henty, Oberon and Crookwell.

The 125th Cobargo Show will feature all the usual attractions and competitions as well as thrilling chainsaw racing and woodchop, a motorbike obstacle course, lawnmower racing, a mini dog race and a wife-carrying competition promising loads of laughs.

At the Crookwell Show, catch shearing and woodchop racing, a car and bike show-and-shine, and immerse yourself in the handmade market, sideshow alley and live entertainment.

Over the weekend of 16 to 18 February, shows will be held at Bega, Guyra, Gandagai, Kangaroo Valley, Gulgong, Maitland, Ashford and Gunning, ahead of the three-day Canberra Royal, which kicks off on 25 February.

The action doesn’t stop there, with the last weekend of February also playing host to shows at Cessnock, Inverell, Binnaway, Rylstone-Kandos and Sofala.

Rolling into the first weekend of March, shows at Boorowa, Barraba, Armidale, Goulburn, Deniliquin, Mudgee and Robertson will be held.

READ ALSO Summer vibes: Road tripping retro style with Annie and Fannie

Starting with a dog show on the Friday, the Goulburn Show is one of the largest on the calendar, with heaps for the whole family, such as Dinkum Dinosaurs, a science show, carriage rides, chainsaw sculpting and the Young Farmer Challenge. Dog lovers can catch the amazing dog high jump, K9 Ninja Challenge and flyball demonstrations, and there are loads of exciting horse ring events too. Kids will have a ball on the rides and the synthetic ice rink.

The same weekend, 1 to 3 March, show-goers will be spoilt for choice with fairs also planned for Tamworth, Milton, Newcastle, Braidwood, Blayney, Delegate, Comboyne, Luddenham, Tumut, Koorawatha and Tarago. There will be no rodeo at Milton this year, due to a showground upgrade.

Over the weekend of 9 and 10 March, the Coonabarabran, Gresford, Manilla, Walcha, Moss Vale, Castle Hill, Cooma, Taralga, Wallamba, Bemboka, Adelong and Blacktown City shows will be held.

From March 15 to 17, catch all the show action at Camden, Lithgow, Upper Hunter, Wingham, Baradine, Bombala, Tumbarumba and Yass.

Gloucester, Batlow, Mendooran, Wakool and Holbrook round out the first three months of shows over the weekend of 23 and 24 March.

Find a full list of 2024 agricultural shows with programs and entry forms HERE.

Original Article published by Katrina Condie on About Regional.

Start the conversation

Daily Digest

Want the best Illawarra news delivered daily? Every day we package the most popular Illawarra stories and send them straight to your inbox. Sign-up now for trusted local news that will never be behind a paywall.

By submitting your email address you are agreeing to Region Group's terms and conditions and privacy policy.