ORGANISERS of today’s cancelled Kerang Show hope to restage the event in either November or March.
Kerang District Agricultural Society officials yesterday reluctantly cancelled today’s show following the weened downpour which saturated Alexandra Park.
The show has been postponed in the past due to flooding in the area, however this time it’s a case of the grounds being too wet.
Today’s school holiday and half day public holiday have also been cancelled.
A scaled down night show was held last night, featuring a small number of side shows, pavilion entries and the announcement of the show girl competition.
The pavilion will also be open today, from 9 am to around 5 pm.
Society secretary, Mrs Sue Paul said the show’s cancellation was very disappointing, particularly given that entries were up overall.
“It’s a lot of work to go down the drain,” Mrs Paul said.
The cream of the districts primary production, along with homecrafts, schools exhibits and sideshow alley were set to provide entertainment at the 109th annual show.
A highlight of the day was to be a Pilatus PC9/A solo sow level aerobatic display by Royal Australian Air Force Central Flying School flight commander, Squadron Leader Dave Steel.
A special feature of the night show, an emergency services display involving respresentatives from the local police, ambulance, fire brigade and State Emergency Service unit, was cancelled.
One of the highlights of the cancelled grand parade was to be Nightingale Horse Flyers – two nurses completing a marathon horse trek along the Murray River.
Harness racing heats were culminate in the final of the $1600 Kerang Show Pacing Championship.
Local children would have been disappointed with the cancellation of the ever popular animal show nursery and pet show, while a show first – a free public immunisation session – will have to make its debut another day.
Other features of the cancelled show included the Kerang Motorcycle Club’s farm motorcycle competition, highland dancing, show girl and associated judging, a display of antique machinery and cars, and yard dog trials.
A total of $10,000 in prize money and trophies was being offered to show entrants.
Exhibitors had the added incentive to do well with regional finals for motorbike, fruit cake, knitting and crocheting, photography, spinning and weaving and junior cattle judging sections being held in Kerang on March 26 next year.
Mrs Paul extended thanks to everyone involved with the show and said the community had really supported the event this year.
