Hinterland Grapevine - It is Showtime

It?s that time of the year again when Maleny plays host to one of the few-surviving rural shows in Australia, with the spectacular 68th annual Caloundra City Show held May 27-28 at the Show Grounds.

The event, which is sponsored by Caloundra City Council and many of our local businesses, will see a plethora of activities for the show?s patrons ranging from live stock and equestrian shows to quad bike tug-o-wars! Alongside the hugely successful annual Wood Expo, this is the biggest community event held at the Show Grounds, with exhibitors and competitors flocking in from around the Hinterland.

?We?ve had interstate visitors in the past and they?ve said this is one of the best two-day shows in South East Queensland,? said Ivan Hankinson, President of the Maleny Show Society. ?Along side the Expo, this event is one of Hinterland?s greatest assets.? And after above-average rainfall earlier in the month, current weather forecasts indicate beautiful weather for the event. That could produce record attendance levels!

?It?s true it really could be a record turn out,? said Ivan, who?s been organising the show for 15 years.    ?We?re hoping for about 10,000 people over the weekend and good weather will be a large part of that.    The beautiful days that we are having will ensure the crowds.?     And this year visitors will be treated to an extra couple of events ?    Caloundra?s 18-year-old dare-devil Morgan Stevenage, will be showing us what FMX, is all about.    In short it involves jumping a dirt bike across a 65? gap and performing tricks in mid-air!

?We?ve never had stunts like this at previous shows,? said Ivan.    ?And it?s going to be worth it on the day because when you see the crowds turn out and have all this action for them to witness it?s really a great feeling.?   Other fast-paced action will see Maleny?s Fifth Light Horse play a polo match, and also give a demonstration of tent pegging, a sport at which they have been crowned champions, at break-neck speed.

Meanwhile, in addition to the giant fireworks scheduled Friday night to celebrate the beginning of the first day, four parachutists will soar through the skies above the Show Grounds trailing a giant Southern Cross in celebration of this truly Australian event And now in its second year, the ute muster will be making a reappearance.    Again there will be eight different categories including best Ford, Holden, 4 x 4m, chicks, feral and work ute, plus prizes for the overall winner and runner-up.

Ivan puts down the longevity of the show?s success to the breadth of activities, demonstrations and competitions it embraces ? but ultimately the show?s roots are all about farming, bloodstock, livestock and the Queensland rural way of life.

And to that end there will be all the old favourites like the guess the weight of the bull, woodchop, beef and dairy cattle judging plus a wide array of equine events from show-jumping featuring hacking, western, harness as well as all the led classes for the different breeds.    And don?t forget the rodeo on Saturday!

Some of the attractions in the main arena will include Guy McLean and his wonderful horses, plus a chance for the crowds to compete against the Yamaha YFM 400 quad bike in a tug of war and see how many of you it takes to take it over the line!

And of course what would the show be without the pavilion displays ? there?s farm produce, cut flowers, pot plants, floral art, farmhouse cheesemaking, cookery, cake decorating, home-made bread, sweets and preserves, photography, fine art, needlework, handicrafts, woodwork and tapestry, pheeew!    Oh, and don?t forget the poultry, Sunshine Coast Cat Club exhibition and the Championship dog show on Saturday.    Let?s hope the cats dogs and chickens don?t get together!

And outside of any animal attraction, the pavilion will host fashion parades whilst on Friday morning 11 dancers from Phantom Dance will be performing live on stage.

Throughout the event the children will be catered for with side show alley and a fantastic fun fair on site, plus Old McDonalds Farm Animal Nursery, Jerry van der Veer, Sauls Snake Display, Mouse Circus and Blaxters Animal Circus.

That?s a lot to take in eh?     So if you haven?t already picked up a copy of the 68th Annual Caloundra City Show?s events booklet, they can still be found at Hinterland newsagents or picked up at the Show Grounds on the day.

Photo above:- A worker sets up the Zipper in preparation for the Show Crowd

Last Updated ( Tuesday, 31 May 2005 )

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