March 28, 2017
The week leading up to the Goomeri Show was great for local farmers – rain almost every day! – but was less helpful to show organisers.
In the end, all events went ahead with the exception of the show-jumping which was cancelled because the ground was just too soft.
“It wouldn’t have been a month ago that this place looked so dry, ” Show Society president Amanda McArthur said ruefully at the official show opening on Saturday afternoon.
But she quickly acknowledged the rain had been very welcome.
The wet weather meant entries in the stud beef and equestrian competitions were down as some would-be competitors could not get their stock off their properties.
The show was opened by Gympie councillor Hilary Smerdon, who represents Division 6 which covers the Goomeri area.
Cr Smerdon congratulated the organisers on the effort they had put into the show. and noted that putting on an agricultural show was getting “harder and harder” every year.
While the opening was happening, a large dog show, which had kept enthusiasts busy at the lower end of the showgrounds area, was winding up.
And in the pavilion, small groups of visitors inspected the entries in the various competitions.
Crowd numbers increased as the day continued with the evening program attracting a lot of interest.
The working cowhorse competition was held in the top ring on Saturday night, part of the Stockman’s Challenge which continued on Sunday.
Other highlights were the hay stacking competition and ironman challenge. And, of course, the fireworks were as popular as ever.
