Hawkesbury Show 2018: Nearly 60,000 people visited the Hawkesbury Showground

Our local show is one of the largest regionals in the state and over the three days (Friday, April 20 to Sunday, April 22) boasted a real ‘city meets country’ vibe.

Ross Matheson, president of the Hawkesbury District Agricultural Association which puts on the show, said it was a smashing success, with beautiful weather and incredible attractions.

Special guest, celebrity gardener Costa Georgiadis, was on-site on Saturday to open the show and meet and chat to attendees and exhibitors.

“Costa was just unbelievable,” said Mr Matheson. “He went way above and beyond our expectations in every way, the way he greeted and took photos with people, the knowledge he had with all the different sections and the way he was with the public was just amazing.”

Mr Matheson thanked everyone who came to show, and said he hoped they all had a great time and they’ll come back next year for an even bigger and better show.

“I’d also like to thank all the exhibitors and store holders. All the exhibitors of animals and produce - they make or break the show.

“The store holders and amusement ride operators, along with all our sponsors, and all the volunteers and volunteer groups who assist our committee to make it all happen.”

There was something for everyone at the show, including fireworks displays, carnival rides, performances from local schools and troupes, showbags and food galore.

Animals were a big part of the weekend, across show competitions, performances, displays and demonstrations.

Pavilions showcasing the region’s best produce, as well as arts and crafts, were packed with people.

Entries into the poultry competitions were up 70 per cent on last year, and livestock entries also increased.

The LEGO competition attracted an 84 per cent increase in entries due to new categories, and a new painted cow category joined the painted sheep competition, more than doubling entries from school groups.

“Craft entries are also up, with notable increases in woodworking, porcelain art and junior decorated cakes,” said Mr Matheson.

Other exciting attractions included woodchopping, racing pigs, wife carrying competition and flyball dog demonstrations, not to mention the Isuzu D-Max Team, Showtime FMX Team and unchained BMX performances.

The dates are already locked in for next year’s show, which will fall on the Mother’s Day weekend from May 10 to 12, 2019.