The Millicent showgrounds are currently a hive of activity with the start of the 145th annual Millicent Show only a day away.
Millicent Show Society secretary Sue Vanderheul is counting down to show day and believes it is going to be a brilliant event.
Ms Vanderheul’s office gives her a prime viewing point and she happily discussed the upcoming packed program earlier this week with The SE Voice.
The Millicent Show Society is continually on the look-out for new attractions with shearing now the headline act on Friday night on account of the withdrawal of motocross races owing to insurance issues.
Among the other highlights of the 2022 Millicent Show will be the $500 prize for the champion rose from McCourt’s Garden Centre.
A joint promotional booth will be manned by the Millicent Health Advisory Committee, Wattle Range Suicide Prevention Network and the Millicent and Surrounds Health Support Network.
Fireworks will light up the Gordon Memorial Oval tomorrow night and form the perfect backdrop to Sideshow Alley and its many rides like Kamikaze and Skydiver and the food and novelty stalls.
Horses will vacate the main arena on Saturday afternoon to allow the grand parade to proceed followed by Jim Garner’s long running demo derby for the 23rd consecutive year.
Ride-on lawn mower races are returning for the fourth consecutive year in 2022 and their engines will start revving at 11am on Saturday and continue until mid-afternoon.
COVID restrictions in 2021 meant a few indoor sections were curtailed but they are back on the program for 2022.
Numbers have improved across the board on 2021 and entry fees have been waived for adults but no cash prizes will be paid.
Dozens of youngsters are set to compete for the various Show Persons contests while the animal nursery, school work displays, showbags and model trains are always popular attractions.
There are over a dozen food stalls while a sheltered and sit-down option on Saturday will be the morning tea, luncheon and afternoon tea in Vera’s Dining Hall.
The vital primary industries of the Millicent district will be represented in the cattle, sheep, stock handling, wool and poultry sections as well as yard dogs and shearing.
Trade exhibitors will be scattered across the showgrounds and pavilions while there will be outdoor displays of unique vehicles and stationary engines.
Entertainers from Circus Elements will be presenting street theatre while musical performances will be provided by husband-and-wife duo Jason and Christy Wallace.
As in previous years, there is free entry on Sunday with the sole activity being the horses-in-action.
There will also be a mini-market and car boot sale between 9am and noon.
With the assistance of showers in the past week, the showgrounds are in picture-perfect condition and the flower beds are blooming with bright colours.
