The casual observer could be excused for their confusion about this year’s Nabiac Show.
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Although officially cancelled after the site copped a drenching in the week leading up to the show, this fact didn’t deter hundreds of eager showgoers from pouring into the showground to inspect the outstanding hall and pavilion displays.
With these displays readied for the show on Friday and more than 440 dogs registered for exhibition, show officials made the decision to open the showground gates to the public at no cost.
The record dog entries equated to the largest dog show for the group on the North Coast.
“Surprisingly, there was no rain on Saturday morning,” Wallamba District Agricultural and Horticultural Society secretary, Lyn Reid said.
“The day was much the same as last year,” she said.
“We decided late on Friday afternoon to open the gates for nothing.”
Society officials also wanted to emphasise that the show was not just about Nabiac; it was a show for the entire Wallamba (Great Lakes) district.
While the annual event is fondly known as the Nabiac show, it is a show for the Wallamba district, which extends to Forster, Lyn explained.
Their decision paid off with the canteen opening and the main hall serving Devonshire teas, and an estimated 400-500 people attending the four hour morning event.
Despite losing money due to the cancellation, show society officials were delighted with the number of people who attended.
Mrs Reid is hoping that insurance will cover the show’s loss.
“We are going to lose but with insurance we may square off.”
She said Nabiac was one of the most popular shows in the district, primarily because it was a one-day event, it was small and continued along the traditional agricultural show lines.
Sideshow alley was a no go at Nabiac.
“Everyone was very disappointed to close the show but it was the only thing to do.”
In the days leading up to the show cattle entries began to cancel, mainly because exhibitors couldn’t get livestock off flooded properties.
But, surprisingly a record 200 poultry entries were received despite this year’s extended heatwave which resulted in a fall in the poultry population.
There were more flower entries this year as well, which was a surprise again considering the heat and the rain, Mrs Reid said.
Turn to page 32 for a pictorial coverage of this year’s Nabiac show.
Jeanene Duncan
Jeanene has more than 40 years experience as a regional and rural journalist starting at The Land Newspaper. She also worked for Stock Journal Newspaper (SA), McPherson, Fairfax newspapers and Rural Press, and contributed to various magazines.
Jeanene has more than 40 years experience as a regional and rural journalist starting at The Land Newspaper. She also worked for Stock Journal Newspaper (SA), McPherson, Fairfax newspapers and Rural Press, and contributed to various magazines.
