Cracking good Show

DRIVING past the showgrounds this weekend, you’ll see spinning, flashing, colourful rides, but there’s so much more to the Ballarat Spring Show behind its gates.

Ballarat Agricultural and Pastoral Society’s Executive Officer, Lucy Quartermain is looking forward to seeing delighted young and old faces, enjoying all her group has organised for the iconic annual event.

She said the Woolworths Family Pavilion is always a “massive attraction.

“It gives back to families, and everything in that pavilion is free. There’s face painting, clowns, Professor Wallace who does puppet shows, and Kelly Sports is also going to be at the show,” Ms Quartermain said.

“They can make fruit rockets, they can ice biscuits in there, and do colouring-in competitions.”

But one of the classic Show gems, not to be missed, is the Animal Nursery, beside the pavilion.

“When they go in, they can get up close and personal with the animals, and pat them,” she said.

“I love seeing families with the animals, and their faces light up. A lot of kids don’t always get to be close with animals and it’s fantastic to see.”

On the Broadhead Arena, the Australian Working Dog Rescue will run sheep and geese herding across the Show’s three days. The Young Farmers’ Competition is on Saturday, showcasing farming duties.

Friday night crowds will be entertained by Extreme Cowboys and Saturday evening’s visitors will hear three hours of country music, including Travis Sinclair.

There’s a sheep shearing display in the main pavilion, lots of trade sites, cattle, goat and sheep judging, old cars on the main arena, and on Saturday, wood choppers will perform.

Sunday will see trick riders, R.A.C.E Entertainment, the VAS State Dog Jump Finals and whip crackers wow the Show’s attendees.

“We’ve got a young group, Heather Buzza Whip Cracking, and they’ll actually be teaching kids how to crack a whip,” Ms Quartermain said.

“We’re trying to spread major acts across the whole three days.”

The Ballarat Spring Show runs this Friday, 8 November to Sunday, 10 November at the Ballarat Showgrounds. Visit ballaratshow.org.au for more information.