Agricultural shows are the ultimate city-meets-country experience. While a visit to a country show offers a rare chance for city slickers to catch a glimpse of rural life, large events in the state capitals are a time when country folk can take a break from the daily grind and experience the bright lights and glitzy attractions of the Big Smoke. Regardless of who we are, where we live and how old we are, Show Time is a magical experience which is an integral part of most Australian childhoods.
This image is from the Bendigo Show website.
Unlike many family day-trips, a visit to a country show offers something for everyone, from the youngest child to the most elderly matriarch. Little city kids are astounded by the farm animals, teenagers are invariably eager to spend their last dollars on wild carnival rides and novel show-bags, and nostalgia buffs can relish the ambience of the days when Australia 'rode on the sheep's back', dependent on a thriving agricultural industry.
This image is from the Warrnambool Show website.
As Australia's second-smallest state, Victoria has relatively short distances between the city and countryside: a fact which makes a day-trip or weekend escape to a rural show extremely practical. Similarly, since it's the country's most densely-populated and urbanised state, a day or weekend at a country show offers some welcome respite from the crowds and noise of city life.
This image is from the Warrnambool Show website.
Following, is a list of the country shows which will be held throughout Victoria during the latter part of 2013. Gather the family, load the car and escape the city this weekend to experience one of these cool community events.
This image is from the Seymour Show website.
For more information about the country shows which are held around Victoria every year, take a look at the
Victorian Agricultural Shows website.
July 19 - 21 2013: Australian Sheep and Wool Show (Bendigo)
July 31 - August 1 2013: Mallee Machinery Field Days
August 5 - 6 2013: Hamilton Sheepvention
August 24 - 25 2013: Wentworth Show
September 1 2013: Finley Show; Ringwood Pre-Royal Show
September 22 2013: Robinvale / Euston Agricultural Show
September 21 - October 2 2013: Royal Melbourne Show
October 1 - 3 2013: Elmore & District Machinery Field Days; Horsham Show
October 4 2013: Murtoa Show
October 4 - 5 2013: Swan Hill & District Show; Yarrawonga & Border Show
October 5 2013: Seymour Show
October 5 - 6 2013: St. Arnaud Show
October 6 2013: Berrigan Show
October 7 - 8 2013: Kerang & District Show
October 9 2013: Rupanyup Show
October 10 2013: Warracknabeal Show
October 11 - 12 2013: Donald Show; Shepparton Show; Wangaratta Show; Wandin Silvan Field Days
October 12 2013: Boort Show; Camperdown Show; Sunbury Show
October 13 2013: Corowa Show
October 15 2013: Rainbow Show
October 17 2013: Nhill Show
October 17 - 20 2013: Mildura Show; Royal Geelong Show
This image is from the Geelong Show website.
: Barham / Koondrook Show; Benalla Show
October 19 2013: Charlton Show; Dimboola Show; Kyabram Show
October 19 - 20 2013: Naracoorte Show
October 20 2013: Lancefield Show; Rutherglen Show
October 23 2013: Numurkah Show
October 25 - 26 2013: Maffra & District Show
October 25 - 27 2013: Bendigo Show; Warrnambool Show
October 26 2013: Myrtleford & District Show; Stawell Show
October 26 - 27 2013: Cobram Show; Euroa Show
October 27 2013: Ararat Show
November 1 - 3 2013: Colac & District Show; Sale & District Show
November 1 -2 2013: Castlemaine Show
November 2 2013: Dookie Show; Port Fairy Show
November 2 - 3 2013: Whittlesea Show
November 5 2013: Heathcote Show
November 8 - 10 2013: Ballarat Show
November 9 2013: Alexandra Show; Coleraine Show; Koroit Show
November 9 - 10 2013: Bairnsdale Show; Dandenong Show; Echuca / Moama & District Show
November 15 - 16 2013: Kyneton Agricultural Show
November 16 2013: Casterton Show; Clunes & District Show; Noorat & District Show; Omeo & District Show; Mansfield Show
November 17 2013: Beaufort Show
November 23 2013: Daylesford & District Show; Edenhope Show; Yarram Show; Yea Show
November 29 - 30 2013: Traralgon & District Show
November 30 2013: Yulecart Show
December 1 2013: Kingston Show
December 7 2013: Dartmoor & District Show; Kilmore Show; Maryborough District Show; Penshurst Show
