Despite falling numbers at this year’s Wagga Show, enough turned up to draw large pockets of crowds across the board.
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Notable highlights in the afternoon’s program were the working kelpies, woodcarving, and whipcracking shows.
Whipcracker Stewart Bryant has travelled from Mansfield, Victoria for the two-day showground event.
“I do this thing when I crack the whip around someone, and it ends up they’re all tied up in it. It looks like they’re being flogged, but they’re not. I love the look on their face, absolutely horrified,” said Mr Stewart.
Anthony Attard runs the kelpie show. He has been a dog breeder for nigh on 18 years. In that time, he’s trained hundreds of Australian kelpies.
Three dogs perform in the kelpie show, but Mr Attard has a particular place in his heart for 11-year-old Buck.
“My old dog, Buck, he’ll always be my favourite,” Mr Attard said.
“He took little training actually, because he’s very lovable. No matter who’s talking around him, he’ll be focused on me.”
Woodcutter Justin McClelland began his work six years ago.
“It started out of boredom, I got sick of cutting in a straight line. I started to see the wood has character, where the branches were, or where the knots are, so I decided to work with that.”
Each of his works takes upwards of six hours to perfect.
In between the shows and rides though, one part of the show will always attract huge foot traffic. Show bag lane.
Tina Leaney and her 17-year-old daughter Aleesha have travelled from near Dubbo to spruke this year’s top toys.
They gave their predictions of the big sellers ahead of the show season.
“PJ Masks, Peppa Pig, Paw Patrol, [they’re] the things this year,” said Ms Leaney.
“Me? I like the Girls Rule pack, I love the backpack I actually got one for myself.”
Aside from the usual festivities, show season gave one woman cause for enormous celebrations.
Former army personnel, and current parliamentary assistant, Rachel Parsons was announced as this year’s incoming Show Girl, taking her duties from outgoing Paige Mazoudier.
“I’m looking forward to bring some new ideas, to being part of the next gen here at the show. I have a marketing and legal background so I’ll be looking to use that to promote this great show,” said the 24-year-old.
“It will be difficult to manage seeing as I live in Canberra, but Wagga has always been my home and I’m up for the challenge.”