There will be a larger focus on agricultural and horticultural competitions.

The show committee will meet next week to discuss its future, but arts and crafts steward and Warrnambool Agricultural Society committee member Karen Jackson said the show would more than likely be run in a different format next year.

She said the lack of public support meant it probably wouldn’t have attractions for the public, and would focus more on competitions.

“We only had 2200 people through the gate over the four days,” she said.

“That won’t sustain the show for next year. I believe future plans will be competition only for horses, beef, cattle, shearing, art and craft, cookery and horticulture.” 

This year entries in those sections were popular. Mrs Jackson said there would be no Showman’s Guild rides and showbags, stallholders, entertainment, or fireworks.

She said the fireworks cost $5000, but people sat outside the gate and watched them for free. 

She said the show would still have service clubs such as Kiwanis and Rotary supplying food, and coffee vans.

“It will be agriculture focused with no gate entry fee,” Mrs Jackson said.

“We will finalise it and discuss it next week. There’s no community spirit from Warrnambool people towards the show. People complaining about the prices for rides and showbags need to realise we don’t have any control over that cost. That’s the Showman’s Guild.”