Clunes and District Agricultural Society Inc
The 160th Anniversary of the iconic Clunes Show has been a long time coming for residents and visitors. Cancelled due to the COVID pandemic in 2020 and 2021, it was locked and ready to roll in 2022 when prolonged rains left the grounds unsafe to hold the event. Never in the long history of the Show has there been a three year break, and the volunteer Show Committee are super keen to bring everyone back to enjoy all the fun of this traditional country Show. No more virtual events, it’s the real thing in 2023 and it will take place on Saturday November 18th.
So what’s on the program?
This year the Show is excited to welcome the inaugural Clunes Show Strongman Exhibition. Local organisers have an action packed array of hands on activities and displays designed to showcase the sport of Strongman including Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA) demonstrations. Come along, test your luck and maybe even have a go at the Tractor Pull competition.
An Interactive Grain Arcade will also be on display where the young and young at heart can get a feel for what it is like to harvest a crop using the virtual reality header simulator. The header simulator is the brainchild of the Natimuk Agricultural Society and is just back from another successful outing at the Royal Melbourne Show.
2023 also represents the 25th anniversary of the Clunes Show Bute Ute Competition so look out for the flags and wait for the roar of the engines in that section at judging time, and please-if you have a bute ute in your shed, dust it off and enter it in the competition.
We’ll also be welcoming the beautiful Sandy Creek Clydesdales along with their blacksmithing demonstrations. There will be wood chopping displays by the Midlands Axmen, a full complement of agricultural competitions, shearing displays, the dog high jump, local entertainment on the stage including the Ballarat Pipe Band, a food and wine pavilion and more.
If you are inclined to bring along your own animals bring your own ferret for the ferret racing competition, or other pets for the Pet Show.
And if you would rather that the animals were supplied you can enjoy Wicked Wildlife or Pegasus Pony Rides as well as the array of sheep, cattle, horses, goats, pigeons and poultry on the arena and in the exhibition sheds.
A good day for the kids is assured with showbags, rides, puppets and face painting.
The Homecrafts pavilion will be filled with home cookery, floral displays, art, photography and a whole lot more. A full horse program will occupy the main arena throughout the day.
Watch and laugh at the gum boot throw, the tug o war and the keg throw or enjoy a quiet drink at the bar.
Its’s been such a long time coming and we can’t wait to finally welcome everyone to this year’s 160th Anniversary Clunes Show.
Admission is $15 for adults and this year, kids under 16 enter for free.
Contacts:
Jenny Redpath, President, president@clunesshow.com.au, Ph 0400 613 153
Gayle Wrigley, Secretary, president@clunesshow.com.au, Ph 0400 907 506
