ORGANISERS are urging Warrnambool residents to file through the gates of the town’s showgrounds in big numbers to ensure the future of one of its longest-running community events.
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The Warrnambool Show started its 2016 chapter on a positive note with a strong attendance on Friday.
It is a promising start to an event that faced an uncertain future in recent years.
President Kelly Rentsch said the general public had a big role to play in the event’s survival.
“If we don’t get the support of the community, then the show won’t go on into the future,” Ms Rentsch said.
“We have really tried to push the show as a family friendly, affordable event.
“If families are doing it tough then we want the show to be somewhere they can still come for a great day out without having to break the bank,” she said.
“Our committee are volunteers and the show just doesn’t all come together in a couple of months – it is 12 months of hard work and organising.
“If we get the community support, it is an effort we are happy to make. But if we don’t, then we will have to look at where we stand.
“It has been a positive start, foot traffic (on Friday) has been really good and we are getting some good feedback.”
We have really tried to push the show as a family friendly, affordable event.
- Kelly Rentsch
Ms Rentsch said the show committee had worked to bring together a large number of free activities for families.
One of those is the return of a big top circus – an investment that has had an early impact.
The last time the circus was at the show was in 2010.
“Getting the circus back was a big cost but we felt it would be a huge drawcard,” Ms Renstch said.
“The shows (on Friday) have been packed out and ... it has created excitement in the lead-up to the show.
“People drive past and see it set up and the kids are wanting to go to the circus.
“To have it free is a huge thing for families.
“It is a great slice of entertainment.”
The show continues across Saturday and Sunday.
Gates will stay open until 10pm on Saturday, with a fireworks display to feature.
