THE 100th Batlow Show was every bit the success the occasion called for, with nearly twice the number of show-goers at Batlow Showground on Saturday than usual.
“We were very, very happy,” Show president Steve Ross said.
“We haven’t done the final count yet, but we estimate, by the wrist bands, that there were close to 1000 people there, which is double what we normally get.”
Mr Ross puts much of this down to good promotion with plenty of exposure on Sounds of the Mountains radio and the Tumut and Adelong Times.
“We had a lot of coverage; it was great,” he said.
The pavilion, with all it’s produce and art creations, was very popular.
“The pavilion was overflowing with people,” he said.
“We had fruit and vegetable entries we had to knock back. We boosted sideshow alley a bit, and they were busy all day.”
The demand for food reflected the success of the show.
“The luncheon room sold out and so did the barbecue, so people had to be happy with a dagwood dog,” Mr Ross said.
One of the show’s great traditions, the scarecrow making competition, was a hit with a dozen scarecrows entered, up slightly on the usual amount.
“We had a colour run which was very popular, so we might have to have that again,” he said.
“After it everyone got sprayed the fire engines to clean off.”
Batlow Fire and Rescue’s displays were very popular, as was Tiny Tots, and the equestrian events were also a hit.
“Horse number were way up, and this was good because I was worried we would clash with Sydney,” Mr Ross said.
“Those in the rings did a very good job.”
Another big contributor to the success of the show was the weather.
“It was perfect,” Mr Ross said.
“We got a little bit of rain during the week and it freshened things up.”
Some remarkable vehicles and machinery from yesteryear attracted lots of attention at the show.
“We had the first truck which carted fruit to Batlow, and that brought back a lot of memories for people,” he said.
The Kapooka Australian Army band were again popular, with a mixed of old and new songs pleasing the crowd.
“They were fun; everyone listening to them got up on their feet,” he said.
“Walter the Whip drew a fair crowd, the reptile show was popular as usual and the wall always had people climbing on it. There was something for everyone to do. That’s what the plan was, and it seemed to work. Now we’ve got to top it next year.”
Mr Ross’s favourite part of the day was when, much to his surprise, he was made a Life Member of the Batlow Show Society.
“It surprised the heck out of me,” he said.
