Bathurst Show lives up to expectations

The home and garden prize-giving ceremony had a fair amount of interest with all the creatives chalking up notable achievements.

Show president Neil Scott said it was impossible to single out a specific aspect of the show that had been a highlight but it had gone well, he said. Without confirmed figures, the consensus had been that compared to last year day one, Friday had seen fewer visitors but on Saturday and Sunday there had been many more than in 2023.

“Even though there were many more people on Saturday, it never felt too crowded because with the new layout for stands, things are more spread out,” Scott said.

“The effort and funds we have put into upgrading the water systems at the showgrounds have also paid off,” he said. “People commented on how they had found the toilets clean and user friendly, and they stayed clean and functional throughout the show.”

The new parking area on the showgrounds had relieved a lot of the pressure, but many people had still parked outside.

While the postponement of the Bathurst Horse Show because of African horse sickness had been a disappointment, the community had stepped up to fill the gaps.

“Even the tractor dealers came to the party, organising tractor-dancing on the main arena,” he said. Helicopter flips, sheepdog and security dog demonstrations, the famous lawnmower race, the traditional vintage and classic cars, and vintage tractors parade were supplemented by an impressive motorcycle parade organised by the Ulysses SA Motorcycle Association.

The biggest and best feature of the show? “The way the community pulled together to make the show a success without being asked,” Scott said