Armidale and New England Show Society communications officer and a show organiser, Briony Looker, said this year’s 144th show on Friday and Saturday March 8-9, would run to the theme of “The Heritage of Armdale”, and showcase all the greatest and best produce, handicrafts and fineworks.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
“This year we’re really bringing it back to Armidale,” she said.
“As the show gets closer, people will see around the place our annual window display competition, and in that we will incorporate the theme of the heritage of New England.
ALSO READ:
“And the schools competition this year are based around the heritage of Armidale. We are trying to bring the show back to Armidale, but
Briony said some had questioned why the society was named the Armidale and New England Show Society.
Being the Armidale and New England Show Society we are trying to encompass all those areas in between.
- Briony Looker
“I think it just makes us a little more inclusive and makes people realise we are a little more inclusive,” she said.
“We’re going to have a little more entertainment this year. So, we will be having fireworks on both nights to celebrate the size of the show we had last year. We were the largest show in Zone 13 based on gate takings.
“This year Armidale will see one of the first ever Rooftop Express Shows. It will be released here at the Armidale show on Friday night as one of our major entertainment acts.”
Entries for the pavilion sections will be taken online for the first time this year with exhibitors able to attend an information evening at the Armidale Ex Services Club at at 6:30pm on January 15.
Briony said there would be huge nights of entertainment for the whole family including:
- A Stallion shoot-out, Mule rides and saddle-bronc rodeo events on Friday evening.
- Grand Opening and announcement of 2019 Armidale Showgirl (Friday)
- A Ute Show on Saturday, which will include a 'Bark-off' and Ute Barrell races.
- RSUS Young Farmers Challenge.
- Horse ball events.
- 6-bar showjumping.
- A huge horse ring program.
- Stud Beef cattle and Stud sheep classes.
- Junior judging Zone Finals for Sydney Royal Show in the following events: Stud Beef Cattle, Wool, Merino Sheep, Meat Sheep, Grain, Fruit and Veg and also Zone Cattle Paraders.
- Woodchops (Saturday).
- Demolition Derby (Saturday).
“The biggest thing we’re trying to do is just try to keep our local shows going. As most people in the region saw last year, Uralla’s show didn’t run because they didn’t have a committee and they lacked the people to run the event,” she said.
“So we’re trying to push our show forward. We’ve had a really good influx of volunteers, and stewards and young people and we’re hoping we can keep the Armidale New England Show going for as long as possible.
“People would have seen around the place, because of the drought and various other reasons, people and show societies weren’t able to run this year and we’re just trying to make sure that doesn’t happen here.”
