THE 109th Cohuna Show is only a few weeks away, and it’s set to be one of the best ever, with new attractions and old favourites ready to bring the community together for a weekend of fun.
Sure to attract a keen audience, the Young Farmers Challenge was set to determine who reigns supreme in the farming stakes.
Cohuna Show president Stuart Richardson explained to the Gannawarra Times how the YFC would work.
“We’re looking for group participants – boys and girls between the ages of 18 and 35, in groups of around four – to link up and compete,” he said.
“They’ll be competing in stretcher races, stacking hay bales and a couple of other small activities that are being timed.”
Winning the event means more than just holding the prestige of being the strongest and fittest farmers in town – the champions will also qualify to compete at the Royal Melbourne Show in September.
The usual attractions will be returning with the beloved dog and horse shows, cattle competition and ambassador awards.
However, with the new pavilion that was opened only last year, exhibits were what Mr Richardson was most looking forward to.
“We’ve got a really nice new pavilion now, so I’m hoping we have an increase in entries because I love going to see people’s artwork and handiwork on display,” he said.
There will even be something for the avid punters out there, with Friday night ferret racing giving people a chance to win some cash.
“We’ve got ferret races which people bid on,” Mr Richardson said.
“There are five preliminary races and the five winners go on to the cup – people buy a ferret by auction each race and the prize pool gets distributed so that it could be a reasonably lucrative outcome by the end.”
With all this, Mr Richardson was hopeful for a strong attendance.
“There were a lot of kids last year that came to their first show, because of COVID, and they loved it,” he said.
“So, we’ve got the Fire Brigade coming back to do demonstrations and the police with their fancy pursuit car – which the kids can hop behind the wheel off – which we hope will bring in more families and increase the numbers.”
Two theatre groups will also be in attendance performing across Cohuna Recreation Reserve.
“We’ve got the local theatre company from Echuca and one from Melbourne coming,” Mr Richardson said.
“The one from Melbourne will be doing three interactive live shows with the public, and without giving too much away, I think it might generate a bit of interest with the kids.”
With the pandemic in the rear-view mirror, a restriction and worry-free event will be huge for the community, Mr Richardson said.
“I think it’s one of the showcase weekends where a lot of people get together – there’s the Bridge to Bridge the week before and Cohuna Festival in October – but this one is generally where people catch up with friends they don’t see that often,” he said.
The event will be held at Cohuna Recreation Reserve on Friday, March 17 and the following day.
Tickets can be bought at the show’s website cohunashow.com.au
