It's time for the 22nd annual Bellarine Show, and this year it's going to be jam-packed with entertainment for the whole family.
Most towns usually have to wait a whole year before they can enjoy the fun and excitement of carnival rides, attractions, demonstrations and animal exhibits, but residents of the Bellarine Peninsula and Greater Geelong are lucky enough to experience two fantastic shows in the one year - the Royal Geelong Show (held annually in October), and the Bellarine Show, which will be held Sunday 11 March at the Portarlington Recreation Reserve.
While most large shows feature games and rides to keep daredevil teenagers entertained, the Bellarine Show focuses more on the agricultural side of things - embracing the rural side of the showground experience. While there will be rides and activities for younger children, there is less of a spotlight on the noise and clamour of carnival rides, and more emphasis on produce, handcrafts, horticulture and animals.
Cattle and other livestock will be on display at the show
Alongside horse competitions, dog jumping, gumboot tossing and shearing demonstrations, people will have the chance to view vintage machinery, motorbikes, cars and trucks, as well as participate in interactive displays.
If that all sounds a little too rustic for your liking, you can always listen to live music, or inspect the various exhibits - art and photography, handcrafts (such as knitting and embroidery), floral arrangements, home brewing, and the Schools section (which features work created by local students).
See award-winning vegetables and produce
This year there will also be an Australian wildlife attraction where people can get up close and personal with a variety of native creatures - marsupials, crocodiles, lizards, snakes and frogs.
The Bellarine Show is a great opportunity for our rural communities to get together and showcase all that they have to offer. With so much to see and do, you're bound to find something that will amuse, entertain or intrigue you at this year's show.
