Bellinger River Agricultural Society Inc.
The much-anticipated annual Bellingen Show is just around the corner with a glossy printed program just released allowing attendees to plan their weekend well in advance. To provide a glimpse into the show’s highlights, we invited several Bellingen Show committee members to share their personal recommendations.
We kicked off by chatting with Show president Susan Lumsdaine. “There’s many ways you can join in the fun of the Bellingen Show, buy a family pass and spend the weekend with us or enter in one of the many activities or competitions on offer. We’re encouraging folks to take advantage of our great value online pricing by securing their tickets early.” She added “I’m really happy with this years attractions, particularly for young people. We want the show to be relevant and interesting and we’re hoping the the silent disco and chill tent will be welcome additions to our activities program.”
For vice president and foodie Gillian Anderson, the highlight will be cooking demonstrations and with local chef Mitch Grady and Auvedic cook Amy Graham and celebrity chef Lyndey Milan. “Watch out for the Bellingen Show raffle stall out the front of IGA and on Show Saturday, you don’t want to miss your chance to win a seat at the Show Sunday Chef’s Table lunch prepared by these amazing chefs using the best local produce.”
Bellinger River Agricultural Society committee newcomers Brett Wieck and Bronwyn Napiorkowski illustrated the diversity of what a contemporary show looks like. Brett and the Weick family have long been connected to the Bellingen Show and cattle industry, Brett himself being a past winner of the Supreme Exhibit. As Chief Steward for Cattle, Brett tells us, “It’s all about beef cattle this year,” Brett tells us, “we’re expect big numbers with breeders coming from up and down the coast, as well as inland to compete.”
Art Therapist and Artisan Tent manager Bronwyn Napiorkowski loves the colour, vibrancy and knowledge sharing that comes with the Artisan Tent demonstrations and workshop. “I love that we are putting our local spin on the traditional country show, my childhood show memories are filled with grubby fun with friends and family, I hope we can be part of that memory making for young people in our community”.
Long standing committee members, Kae Anforth and Mary Moody will once again put their heart into creating a spectacular Pavilion displays. Kae commented, “Every year, we are astounded by the quality of entries; we especially love seeing the creative genius of the young ones with their fruit and vegetable creations and painted gum boots. We’ve got some new categories this year, including a “Fermented Produce” category, we know the judges are looking forward to sampling the kraut, kombucha and kimchi entries!”
Bellingen Show Operations Manager, Rick Maunder, is encouraging people to get a team together for Young Farmers Challenge. We were curious, so we asked Rick what the Young Farmer Challenge involves. “There’s a misconception that this event is only for “farmers” but really it’s for anyone (aged 18-35) who loves a physical challenge. Teams go head to head against each other in a series of competitive “challenges”, these can be anything from saddling a drum, potato throwing, fencing, shearing a sheep (with coloured chalk), hay stacking and shaving a balloon. We’d love to see local businesses enter staff teams, there’s $400 up for grabs, but more importantly the glory of the Bellingen Young Farmer title!”
Pre-sale tickets are now available from the Bellingen Show website. For those who prefer not to purchase their tickets online, advance tickets can be bought through the Show office on Wednesdays afternoons, then everyday during Show week from Monday 8 May.
Grab a copy of the Bellingen Show program, schedules and entry forms from local businesses or download from the the Bellingen Show website bellingenshow.com.au. Stay in the loop on :
- Facebook www.facebook.com/TheBellingenShow
- Website: https://www.bellingenshow.com.au/
