August 27, 2019
The Wondai Show will run this Friday and Saturday (August 30-31) and officials are preparing for what they believe may be its biggest outing yet.
Despite the drought, more than 140 stud beef cattle and up to 25 dairy cows are expected to parade in the ring for judging.
At least 200 dogs have been entered in the Champion Dog Show, and as many as 400 birds will seek honours in the poultry pavilion.
In the pavilions, gardeners will battle it out for ribbons in the Farm Produce, Floriculture and Fruit and Vegetable sections, while clever cooks will contest the Culinary and Home Preserves sections.
There’ll also be keen competition in the Needlework, Handcraft, Photography, Fine Arts and Woodcrafts categories.
For those who prefer livelier action, chainsaw racing competitions will run in the main ring during the day under the expert eye of Tamzin Pearce.
They will culminate in Stihl vs Husqvarna Chainsaw Challenge in front of the grandstand about 4:00pm.
Motoring fans will enjoy a show’n’shine and a ute muster that are both certain to attract lots of entrants.
And for the first time ever, there’ll also be a Big Truck Show offering $1500 in prize-money, with judging at 10:30am on Saturday.
In a quirky touch, the Show will also have a miniature train providing transport around the grounds this year which is sure to be popular.
And during the day Bryce Pearce will be giving a demonstration of low and slow cooking in the main ring.
The St John’s Whipcracking Team will give a demonstration of their skills in the early afternoon, and there’ll be a display of antique tractors and stationary engines running all day as well.
As usual, there’ll be a big Sideshow Alley which will include a Laser Skirmish course, Rent-A-Rex prowling the grounds and Viv’s Animal Farm to delight children.
Patrons who get hungry or thirsty haven’t been forgotten, either.
The Show Society’s Dining Room will be open for morning and afternoon teas and lunches, and there’ll be two licensed bars running all day in the grounds along with a barbecue and food and drink outlets.
This year’s official opening will be performed by AgForce Qld president Georgie Somerset at 1:00pm. The Grand Parade will follow at 2:30pm.
At 6:00pm, the Show’s annual Bull Ride will provide two and a half hours of entertainment, and will be followed by popular local country performer Amber Goldsmith who’ll play into the night.
Admission to this year’s Show is $10 for adults, $6 for pensioners and high school students with ID, and $2 for primary school students (pre-schoolers are free).
Free unpowered camping sites are also available at the Showgrounds throughout the show.
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2109 Wondai Show Program:
Friday, August 30
8:00am – Championship Dog Show
9:00am – Pavilion judging (closed to the public)
5:00pm – Stud Beef Cattle Young Judges, Paraders and Schools competition
Note: A barbecue will be operating in the cattle area.
Saturday, August 31
6:30am – Breakfast available
8:00am – Low and slow cooking firing up in the main ring
8:30am – Judging of dogs, horses, stud beef cattle, dairy cattle and poultry begins
8:30am – Display of antique tractors and stationary engines opens
8:30am – Working arts and crafts display opens under the grandstand
9:00am – Laser skirmish starts next to Sideshow Alley
9:30am – Chainsaw racing begins in the centre ring
9:30am – Show & Shine exhibits by main gate ready for voting
10:30am – Big Trucks judging
Noon – Ute Muster judging
1:00pm – Official Opening by AgForce president Georgie Somerset
1:45pm – Whipcracking display by St John’s school team
2:30pm – Grand Parade
3:15pm – Official afternoon tea for invited guests
4:00pm – Pavilion entries and prize money ready for collection
6:00pm – Wondai Show Bull Ride
8:30pm – Amber Goldsmith (until late)
