Clunes Show to mark belated birthday

AFTER three years of cancellations, the Clunes Show is set to return and celebrate its one-hundred-and-sixtieth anniversary.

Put on hold for two years during COVID and again last year due to weather conditions, Clunes and District Agricultural Society president Jenny Redpath said the organising team are poised for a comeback.

“We’ve got everything crossed, all our fingers and toes, and we’re very excited,” she said.

“The community’s very excited as well. I know a lot of people were disappointed when we had to cancel the last few years. We’re very confident, and I don’t think anything could stop us this year.”

Ms Redpath said the event will be full of new offerings initially set for last year.

“We’re going to have a virtual reality header simulator so for kids who want to know what it’s about can jump on that and harvest a crop,” she said.

“We’ve also got our inaugural strongman exhibition which will be exciting to see what these big fellas and girls can do with some historical demonstrations as well.

“We also have the Sandy Creek Clydesdale demonstration. They’ll be shoeing some horses and bending some steel. We haven’t had these acts before.”

The first Clunes Show was held in 1861, but the 160th event isn’t the only milestone on offer.

The Bute Ute Competition, which will see its 25th anniversary celebrated, and has been an event staple since 1996.

Other returning additions include the food and wine pavilion, which will feature Ballarat’s Red Duck Brewery, and the homecrafts pavilion, which often sees up to 2000 entries.

There’ll be a rotation of musicians at the site’s rotunda including the Ballarat Pipe Band and about 30 stalls will feature, run by community groups and local makers.

Animal entertainment will be provided via offerings like shearing displays, dog high jumps, and ferret racing, as well as appearances through Wicked Wildlife, and Pegasus Pony Rides.

Ms Redpath said the Clunes Show is a well-loved tradition for the town.

“It’s kind of the one thing that brings the community together and brings people back,” she said.

“It’s like the big traditional family day out, and you’ll often find the ones that have moved away or travelled, this is what brings them back.”

The Clunes Show is set to return at the Clunes Showground on Saturday 18 November. Entry is $15 while children under 16 enter free.