May 1, 2023
Everything old and new was put under the spotlights – literally – at this year’s 114th Nanango Show.
The official theme was “Nanango – Celebrating 175 Years”, and examples of the past and present Nanango farm life were featured in a parade after the official opening.
These included a Clydesdale horse and a modern tractor; a stockhorse and an ATV buggy; a 1929 Chrysler car and a 2023 hybrid Toyota; and a classic pushbike and an electric bike.
A special one-off “175th Anniversary” souvenir horseshoe, forged on site, was also auctioned at Saturday night’s fireworks.
The opening was carried out by Greg Hunter, who has been volunteering with the Nanango AP&M (Show) Society for decades.
He has seen many changes over the years, including pavilion upgrades and grounds improvements, supported by funds raised from the monthly Nanango markets and other activities at the showgrounds.
Greg urged attendees to stay for the night’s entertainment and witness the turning on of the showgrounds’ latest acquisition, lights around the show ring.
The Final and Consolation Final of the show’s popular trotting competition were raced under lights for the first time.
“We had a government grant of $90,000 and our generous Heritage Bank in Nanango kicked in $30,000,” Show Society president Les Schloss told southburnett.com.au
“The total cost was $178,000 and the Show Society did the balance. The lights are now there forever and it opens up (the ring) for other activities.”
Les said he believed the 114th show had gone extremely well, although he was disappointed there was no rodeo this year.
“That was because there were three other rodeos within a short distance,” he said. “But we are planning to have a rodeo next year on the Saturday afternoon.”
He said the numbers in the Prime and Stud Cattle competitions were good.
“There were also good numbers in the Poultry, and the Dogs had a really big weekend.”
Also popular were the comedy “Dunny Dash” and live entertainment by Don Costa on Saturday night.
Unfortunately, the woodchopping competitions clashed with the Royal Sydney Easter Show which meant numbers in Nanango were down.
Racing & More Racing …
There were trots, mini-trots, lawn mowers and even ducks!
