The GEM Mount Gambier Spring Show went off with a bang on Saturday night with its renowned fireworks despite the annual display’s occurrence up in the air.

The event closed out another successful show season with around 11,000 people from as far away from Ballarat walking through the gates over the two days.

Mount Gambier Agricultural and Horticultural Society president Brian Kerr said the fireworks display was a highlight for showgoers over the two days.

“Howard Brothers, our pyrotechnics, were able to set up the event in a location where the wind would not have any bearing on it at all so it was great to see,” he said.

“Every year it draws a large crowd and nearly everyone on the show complex gathered at the main arena to see that spectacle take place.

“It was huge, it was a wonderful performance and we cannot thank our sponsors enough for donating their sponsorships to hold those events.

“One of our major sponsors Gambier Earth Movers, Win TV, City of Mount Gambier and Sandy Ridge all put considerable efforts into holding that event.”

Mr Kerr said Friday’s attendance was above the expected level.

“I think the fact that a lot of the schools had the day off so the children could attend, they used that to their advantage on the Friday rather than the Saturday where inclement weather was forecast,” he said.

“Our Saturday morning was terrific and Saturday evening as the weather just changed slightly and cooled off, it did affect the numbers inside the grounds later in the evening.

“However, we were still able to hold all of our events other than the Factory FMX motorbikes had to cancel their last two shows due to the wind.

“Attendance was just slightly down on our record events but nevertheless there was still an outstanding number through the gates.”

Mr Kerr said indoor and outdoor exhibit entries and trade sites had also increased in numbers.

“We had more entries in all of our sections, we had more entertainment on the ground and different varieties of entertainment and also we had a lot more interest from traders and stallholders and we actually had more of those on the ground too,” he said.

“Coming off the back of an extraordinary event last year, there has certainly been a lot of interest. Having online entries for our exhibitors to use as well this year made a big difference.

“They had 90 head of dairy cattle entered which is a lot bigger than normal and they had three judging rings going there at one stage so they could judge all of the exhibits.

“We just organised for a normal show, we did not have those great concerns we have had in other years with COVID and the like so we were able to get on and hold a normal event.”

Mr Kerr said planning had already commenced several months ago for next year’s festivities.

“It’s already started, it started just a couple of months ago with our booking attractions in just so we get a variety from year to year and where we doubled up this year on a couple of things, we have held them back for next year,” he said.

“We’ll stick with online entries, our cash gate as well as online ticket sales was quite successful, having the option of both was a successful thing for our event and there is further scope to increase our trade sites even further.

“We did have more than last year but we have still got quite an area on the grounds there where we can facilitate to have more trade spaces for trade sites, particularly outdoors.

“I would just like to thank all of our sponsors, all of our volunteers and staff that have helped organise this great event and here’s hoping we can do it all again next year even better.”