Get ready for Ballarat Show time!

THE region’s premier agriculture and family fun event is set to make a spectacular return after three years of cancellations.

Renamed the Ballarat Times News Group 2022 Ballarat Show, the event goes later this year at its regular timeslot from Friday, 11 until Sunday, 13 November.

Event organiser Jackie Kalogerakis said it’s great to see the show coming back for the first time since 2019.

“It’s nice to be on the backend of COVID and to bring something back to Ballarat and the families here,” she said.

“Bringing back the cattle and the sheep and the show and the rides is going to be great, and we’ve got some amazing new acts this year.

“It’s very exciting for Ballarat to be able to do this once again and hopefully it will encourage regional Victoria to come rally and get behind it again.”

Taking place at the Ballarat Showgrounds, the show averages 5000 people each day.

Alongside returning traditions like the Saturday night fireworks, petting zoo and trade stalls, new additions include the Rooftop Express horse show, and a larger pavilion for family activities.

Ms Kalogerakis said family fun will play a larger role at the show this year.

“We’ve always had a smaller pavilion with little things for the kids. This year we’re focusing more on family fun and trying to bring as much of that as we can,” she said.

“In past years it’s been more about the exhibitors, so families will only have to pay for their ticket to get into the larger pavilion. They won’t have to pay for anything else in there.

“Friday afternoon will be for the more adult demographic, but then come Saturday and Sunday it’s all about family day.”

For the first time in 2022 the Ballarat Times is naming rights sponsor of the Show, and editor Alistair Finlay said taking part in the event was a proud moment for the paper.

“At the Ballarat Times we’re all about celebrating and championing all the great things going on in the region,” he said.

“To be able to support the Ballarat Show, and back it with the resources of the Times News Group, is a humbling opportunity and we look forward to helping make the first show post-COVID a huge success.”