If there's a single community event that touches the lives of most Australians, young and old, it would have to be the humble agricultural show. Regardless of age and social status, or whether we're from the city or country, the tropics or Tasmania, most of us have visited one of these colourful carnivals at least once in our lives, and have treasured childhood memories connected to them.
Children always love visiting a country show
Here in New South Wales, the first show was held at Parramatta in 1823 - just 35 years after British colonists sailed into Botany Bay and established their antipodean penal settlement. Modelled on the country fairs back home in England, its aim was to encourage rural enterprise in the new colony. As the years passed and colonial settlement infiltrated further inland, small agricultural societies were established in outlying areas and local events were also held. Hence, a much-loved Australian tradition was born: the country show.
Working sheep dog demonstrations are always popular at the show. This image is by Fairv8 at Wikimedia Commons
Country shows were a chance for local primary producers to show off their prized livestock and harvest, competing with each other for cash awards. They provided an opportunity to compare notes on the latest farming methods and the chance to establish advantageous social and business connections, to catch up with old friends and family members, and for the young, to perhaps meet and court a marriage partner.
Wood-chopping demonstration. This image is by Fairv8 at Wikimedia Commons
These days, agricultural shows, large and small, are no longer just for the country bumpkins. While the above-mentioned objectives still ring true, country shows now often serve as trade fairs showcasing local enterprise of every kind, creativity and recreational pursuits, and are vibrant carnivals attracting visitors from far and wide. For city slickers, eager to escape the noise and pollution of urban life, a visit to a country show provides the chance to relish a time-honoured Australian tradition, with events such as wood-chopping, blacksmithing, sheep-shearing and working sheep-dog displays giving visitors the rare opportunity to observe traditional rural skills.
Country shows are paradide for sugar lovers!
In a nutshell, if you're looking for wholesome, old-fashioned Australian fun that everyone in the family will enjoy, look no further than one of New South Wales' fabulous country shows. Held in every part of the state, from the eastern seaboard to the vast inland regions, there is sure to be one, or more, not too far from where you live. Load the car, grab the kids and escape the Big Smoke for an unforgettable weekend of family-friendly entertainment and fun.
Country shows in New South Wales are held throughout the year. Following is a list of the events that will be held over the rest of 2014. For more information about New South Wales agricultural shows, including the confirmation of dates, take a look at the
Agricultural Societies Council of New South Wales website.
Friday April 4 - Saturday April 5: Camden Agricultural Show; Gloucester Agricultural Show; Moree Agricultural Show; Muswellbrook Agricultural Show
Saturday April 5: Binnaway Agricultural Show
Sunday April 6: Mendooran Agricultural Show
Monday April 21: Jerrawa Agricultural Show
Friday April 25: Wauchope Agricultural Show
Friday April 25 - Saturday April 26: Stroud Agricultural Show; Narrabri Agricultural Show
Tuesday April 29 - Wednesday April 30: Kempsey Agricultural Show
May 2 - May 3: Macksville Nambucca River Agricultural Show; Bonalbo Agricultural Show
Friday May 2 - Sunday May 4: Bathurst Agricultural Show; Gunnedah Agricultural Show
Saturday May 3 - Sunday May 4: Gosford Regional Show
Monday May 4: Woodenbong Agricultural Show
Tuesday May 6 - Wednesday May 7: Maclean Agricultural Show
Thursday May 8 - Saturday May 10: Warialda Agricultural Show
Friday May 9 - Saturday May 10: Grafton Agricultural Show
Friday May 9 - Sunday May 11: Hawkesbury District Agricultural Show
Saturday May 10 - Sunday May 11: Walgett Agricultural Show
Saturday May 10: Bourke Agricultural Show
Saturday May 10 - Sunday May 11: Orange Agricultural Show
Tuesday May 13: Yeoval Agricultural Show
Friday May 16 - Saturday May 17: Cobar Agricultural Show
Friday May 16 - Sunday May 18; Coffs Harbour Agricultural Show; Wee Waa Agricultural Show
Saturday May 17: Wellington Agricultural Show
Saturday May 17 - Sunday May 18: St Ives Show
Sunday May 18 - Monday May 19: Nyngan Agricultural Show
Tuesday May 20 - Wednesday May 21: Gilgandra Agricultural Show
Friday May 23 - Sunday May 25: Dubbo Agricultural Show
Saturday May 24 - Sunday May 25: Bellinger River Agricultural Show
Tuesday May 27 - Wednesday May 28: Coonamble Agricultural Show
Saturday May 31: Gulargambone Agricultural Show
Saturday May 31 - Sunday June 1: Bulli Show
Saturday June 7: Warren Agricultural Show
Friday August 8 - Saturday August 9: Tullamore Agricultural Show
Saturday August 9 - Sunday August 10: Mungindi Agricultural Show
Tuesday August 12 - Wednesday August 13: Trundle Agricultural Show
Saturday August 16: Bedgerabong Agricultural Show
Sunday August 17: Weethalle Agricultural Show
Tuesday August 19 - Wednesday August 20: Peak Hill Agricultural Show
Friday August 22 - Saturday August 23: Condobolin Agricultural Show
Saturday August 23: Ganmain Agricultural Show
Monday August 25 - Wednesday August 27: Parkes Agricultural Show
Friday August 29 - Saturday August 30: Narromine Agricultural Show; Grenfell Agricultural Show
Saturday August 30: Lake Cargelligo Agricultural Show, Barellan Agricultural Show
Saturday August 30 - Sunday August 31: Penrith District Show; Wentworth Agricultural Show
Tuesday September 2 - Wednesday September 3: West Wyalong Agricultural Show
Friday September 5 - Saturday September 6: Forbes Agricultural Show; Murrumburrah Harden Agricultural Show
Saturday September 6: Narrandera Agricultural Show; Manildra Agricultural Show; Ungarie Agricultural Show; Campbelltown Show
Saturday September 6 - Sunday September 7: Barmedman Agricultural Show
Sunday September 7: Woodstock Memorial Show; Finley Agricultural Show
Tuesday September 9 - Wednesday September 10: Cowra Agricultural Show
Friday September 12 - Saturday September 13: Eugowra Agricultural Show
Saturday September 13 - Sunday September 14: Hay Agricultural Show; Quirindi Agricultural Show
Sunday September 14: Cudal Agricultural Show; Ariah Park Agricultural Show
Friday September 19 - Sunday September 21: Merriwa Springtime Show
Saturday September 20: Ardlethan Agricultural Show
September 20 - September 21: Nimbin Agricultural Show
Sunday September 21: Molong Agricultural Show
Sunday September 21 - Tuesday September 23: Young Agricultural Show
Friday September 26 - Saturday September 27: Kyogle Agricultural Show; Canowindra Agricultural Show
Friday September 26 - Sunday September 28: Singleton Agricultural Show
Saturday September 27: Temora Agricultural Show; Hillston Agricultural Show
Sunday September 28: Lockhart Agricultural Show
Thursday October 2 - Friday October 3: Wagga Wagga Agricultural Show
Saturday October 4: Culcairn Agricultural Show; Bribbaree Agricultural Show
Sunday October 5: Berrigan Agricultural Show
Sunday October 5 - Monday October 6: Griffith Agricultural Show
Monday October 6: Morongla Agricultural Show; Walbundrie Agricultural Show
Friday October 10 - Saturday October 11: Leeton Agricultural Show
Saturday October 11: Casino Agricultural Show; Illabo Agricultural Show; Trunkey Creek Agricultural Show
Saturday October 11 - Sunday October 12: Taree Agricultural Show; Picton Agricultural Show
Sunday October 12: Corowa Agricultural Show
Monday October 13: Royal Norfolk Island Show
Thursday October 16 - Saturday October 18: Lismore Agricultural Show
Friday October 17 - Saturday October 18: Barham Agricultural Show
Saturday October 18: Cootamundra Agricultural Show; The Rock Agricultural Show; Tooraweenah Agricultural Show
Friday October 24 - Saturday October 25: Alstonville Agricultural Show
Saturday October 25: Carcoar Agricultural Show; Junee Agricultural Show
Friday October 31 - Saturday November 1: Murwillumbah Agricultural Show
Friday October 31 - Sunday November 2: Albury Agricultural Show
Saturday November 1 - Sunday November 2: French's Forest Show
Saturday November 8: Holbrook Agricultural Show; Neville Agricultural Show
Saturday November 8 - Sunday November 9: Queanbeyan Agricultural Show; Mullumbimby Agricultural Show
Monday November 9: Minto Agricultural Show
Friday November 14 - Saturday November 15: Bangalow Agricultural Show; Bulahdelah Agricultural Show
Saturday November 22 - Sunday November 23: Dorrigo Agricultural Show
