The sun was shining and people were out in droves to enjoy the annual Noorat Show on Saturday.
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Committee secretary Vicki Marr said about 7000 people attended the popular event, matching last year’s numbers.
“We are exhausted but over the moon with what has been another successful turnout,” she said.
“It’s been really hard to quantify what makes the show so successful. I think it’s the tradition of the event and the fact that it has been so well supported since its inception back in 1931.
“It has always been a really family orientated show that gets a really strong level of support from both the local community and further afield. We get trade exhibitions from Melbourne, Ballarat, Warrnambool and South Australia.
“There’s also a certain agriculture flavour that we seem to be able to maintain. The Noorat Show gets five out of the six major farm machinery businesses in the western district, and some other shows don’t seem to have that sort of support.”
Committee president Andrew Chard said Saturday saw excellent weather and plenty of families enjoying all of the attractions planned by the committee.
“It's a great day for everyone,” he said.
Highlights included tree felling, dog high jump, dodgem cars and an interesting line-up of speakers at the kitchen stage of the Nibble and Nosh shed.
Families enjoyed rides, amusements and free entertainment as well as a pet parade and plenty of delicious food and drink.
The popular livestock schedule included a Hereford feature show, dairy cattle, horses, dairy goats, sheep and poultry.
Timboon's Colin Taylor judged the best lamb of the show
He said he started coming to the Noorat event in the 1970s.
“I started showing sheep at Hamilton in 1959 and starting judging in 1965 to 1966,” he said.
“I’ve always enjoyed it and I’ve been coming to Noorat for many years.
“The reason I picked today’s lamb of the day is because she was very well fleshed, she had downs type wool and I thought she was very worthy of the prize.”
Mr Chard said the show had also attracted several new local businesses, including Sow and Piglets Brewery.
“From classic cars to classic cakes, our show does a good job at making sure there’s something for everyone, even if that’s enjoying a picnic under the shade of the trees," he said.
Mr Chard enjoyed the show as a young boy and has held the role as president for two years.
He said many families had been coming year after year, and not just from surrounding towns.
“Last year, a family told us they travel on the boat from Tasmania every year to bring their children to the show they enjoyed so much when they too were young," he said.
“Our show is a good old-fashioned day out for families made possible by a great group of local people and sponsors, and I think that’s the simple reason why people keep coming back.”