Cute critters aplenty as show rolls around

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2019 themercury.com.au SUBSCRIPTIONS 1300 696 397

ROSIE the alpaca has put a smile on Alex Harman’s dial as one of the most anticipated family events of the year rolls around again.

The five-year-old, pictured

on Page 1, befriended the cute critter during final preparations for the Royal Hobart Show, which runs from today until Saturday.

The showgrounds will be exploding with adrenalinepumping rides, animals aplenty and food and goodies galore.

Organiser Scott Gadd said this year has focused on changing the layout to make it a more friendly space, and on offering free activities and entertainment.

But the most exciting thing might just be the human cannonball, he said. “I’ve never seen anything like it,” Mr Gadd said. A performer will be shot out of a cannon at more than 75km/h, flying through the air before landing safely into a net up to 40m away.

The Wheel of Steel will be another highlight, Mr Gadd said, with a performer running, skipping and doing acrobatics while running in a rotating steel pendulum that reaches a height of 11m.

Students from Dominic College, Sidney Smith, 16, and Montanna Walker, 15, are looking forward to participating in the show as part of the school’s animal husbandry course. The program has allowed the students to have hands-on experiences with a range of animals.

Mr Gadd said there also will be more food on offer.

Tomorrow is looking to be a scorcher, so he said if you forget sunscreen see some staff and they’ll help you out. Once inside the showgrounds, many activities including watching the sheep shearing and milking a fake cow will be free. Parking costs $10 per car and is available over the road (Brooker Highway) from the showground. Access is via Acton Crescent. Disabled parking is offered on the showground site and on Goodwood Rd, and cyclists can park their bikes inside the Howard Rd entrance with a security device.

Check the online Metro timetables for regular bus services to the showground.

The best of the Artery Art on Show also will be on display, one of the biggest annual community art exhibitions in Tasmania.

Winners of the competition were announced on Monday, with Pamela Shepherd taking out the prize for overall winner.