Community pulls together for show
Large numbers attend despite cancellation of horse event
“This is a real agricultural show,” said a tough-asthorns dry-baked Karoo farmer of few words, who had come, with his wife, all the way from Graaff-Reinet at the invitation of a friend with a place in Port Alfred.
He was offering a massive compliment to the event.
There were well-known bidders from the farming community at the large and small livestock sales at the 2024 Bathurst Agricultural Show.
Buying and selling is a serious business for agriculture in this part of the Eastern Cape
but stock auctions also make excellent entertainment value for a non-farming audience., particularly when Hobson & Co auctioneer Paul Mills, who knows everyone in the arena, flows seamlessly between highspeed figures and high-powered banter with the better known bidders.
The Bathurst Agricultural Show’s turnstiles clicked over on Saturday as patrons flocked to the annual showcase, even though the equestrian event, which is always a highlight, was cancelled due to concerns about African horse sickness.
The Bathurst Agricultural Show attracts a wide range of patrons across all age groups children, teenagers, young adults, middle-aged and older folk. Fur babies were not left behind either, as many owners brought their canines along to enjoy the fresh festive air.
Show patrons, once they had gone walkabout and bought some treats at the food stalls, gravitated to the main arena in the hope of catching a featured event or just having a sit-down moment in the stands. The colourful vintage and classic car parade and security dog show demo proved a treat, as did Saturday’s finale the Danny Wepener lawnmower race which had spectators egging on the riders whose zany antics before, during and after the race, raised some laughter from the sidelines.
Earlier, the vintage car display had its fair share of admirers some of who just wanted a picture taken next to their favourite vehicle of choice.
“This is my car”, Norbert Drager of Makhanda said, pointing to a 1977 open-top
VW Beetle in pristine condition. “I still drive this car and I have 160,000km on the clock.”
UK visitor Steve Howell, stood proudly next to a Ford Anglia. “This is similar to my first car I bought for £70 back in the day as a collector’s item it’s probably £70,000 (R1.6m) now,” he said. “I have been coming to this region from the UK for 14 years now and I simply love it,” he said.
The beer garden did a roaring trade as thirsty patrons came and went and returned for “a nice cold one”. For famished folk there were schwarmas, burgers of all kinds even wagyu burgers sosaties, wraps, hot dogs, boerie rolls, and the popular chip & dip with food kiosks overrun as hungry patrons devoured the delicious fare on offer.
The aromas from the food court wafted through the air while the Dave Brunette band belted out classics like Hotel California from a stage close by.
Other stalls took advantage of Saturday’s influx and stallholders were happy with trade. East London’s Chantelle Pretorius, who was offering printing services, said: “The
market has been pretty busy lots of feet and lots of entertainment all round.”
A stallholder selling macadamia nuts and who
introduced himself as Stefan was in a positive mood.
”It has been going well with my macadamia nuts. We have been well-supported. The
organisation is great and I am hoping everyone comes back next year.”
Dianne Bouwer, who makes various preserves and jams, said the first day of the show had been quiet. “Saturday though was very good and everything is going fine.”
The Three Valleys Proteas’ stand won best outdoor stand award at the show. Excited manager Amy Gradwell said: “It’s going great so far and we are nearly sold out of proteas.”
The effort put into the various companies’ stands was clearly in evidence. These included quad bikes, property stands, drone equipment, clothing, footwear and tree felling machinery. The museum stand, where blacksmith Eric Pieters transformed all kinds of metal pieces in to useful and meaningful everyday items had its fair share of onlookers.
The latest in hi-tech tractors were on display close by, before joining a parade at the main arena, while in the background, auctioneers seated in a huge marquee could be heard bellowing out their offers to potential buyers at the Boer goat and sheep production auction.
On Sunday, the numbers had dwindled but there was still enough interest in the goingson. The marimba band was a big crowd-puller performing several of their original tunes and cover versions like Funky Town which had many food court patrons foot-tapping.