Legendary Louth Races attracts 1000 to town despite 30mm rain wash-out
THE small town of Louth was without its well-known and well-travelled races again this year, after unforeseen wet weather left the western town washed out.
Louth Races president Jim Strauhn said the event, scheduled for August 6, was cancelled after a big downpour left the race track submerged in 30mm of rain.
Usually, the event attracts attendees from across the country, including Bundaberg, Cairns, the mid-north coast, the Central Coast, South Australia, Riverina, and the Southern Highlands.
“(We usually get) 5000 to
6000 people who travel to the little town of Louth. Louth has a population of 45, and it blows out to 6000 in the week leading up to and after the event,” Mr Strauhn said.
“Our last race meeting was in 2019. We had two cancellations due to COVID-19.
“Now this one has been washed out, giving our bottom line a bit of a hit.
“I’ve said it a hundred times, but we’ll be back bigger and better next year.”
Despite the wash out, Louth attracted a crowd of 1000 who were already in town camping.
“A majority of people camp, or stay in their caravans, Winnebagos, or swags.
“When we were washed out
on the Thursday, they couldn’t go anywhere because the roads were closed – they are dirt and unsealed roads.
“It wasn’t a complete failure. We can’t do anything about the weather, but the little Louth School had a fete on Friday and they did well, as did the Shindy’s Inn.
“Shindy’s Inn is one of our sponsors. It was good to see people there the week of, and after, before the roads opened (again).”
Mr Strauhn said his team has already commenced planning the 2023 Louth Races.
“We had a committee meeting (on August 14) and we’ve starting planning already,” he said. “We’re looking forward to it.”