Copper Coast Show chair Natasha Westbrook says the 2025 event was one of the most vibrant and community-driven the committee has seen in years, with record crowds, incredible participation, and all run by volunteers.

The show was held over the weekend, August 16 and 17, and the Schools Livestock Day on Friday, August 15, had seven schools and 135 students participating with cattle, goats and sheep.

“The judges were outstanding, giving real, practical feedback,” Ms Westbrook said.

“You could see the students’ confidence grow in real time.

“The respect from students to the animals is a really good thing to see.

“They’re learning life skills through this program, and we love to support them with an opportunity to show their abilities and grow.”

Friday’s program also featured a grand parade, Marine Discovery Centre presentations, and the ever-popular Ag Learning Centre.

Across the weekend, families enjoyed the animals, including cattle, alpacas, sheep, piglets, pygmy goats, and crowd favourite, Will the Clydesdale offering rides around the grounds.

One of the highlights was the inaugural Patrons Challenge in the main arena — a one-minute milking simulation competition featuring Gulf FM’s Darren Hibbard and Kerry Cornish, YP Field Days president Greg Stevens, YPCT managing editor Michael Ellis, Narungga MP Fraser Ellis, Grey MP Tom Venning, and Copper Coast Council deputy mayor Neil Sawley, with Kadina AH&F Society president Chris Bretag taking out the win.

“It was a real crowd pleaser and a bit of fun,” Ms Westbrook said.

“It was especially great to see the father-and-son face-off between Michael Ellis and Fraser Ellis.

“They were brave enough to go first and, despite having never milked a cow before, were fantastic sports about it.”

The pavilion was packed with a diverse range of entries, from jams, baking and sewing to Lego, photography, plants and painting, and entrants were of all ages and backgrounds.

Another favourite was the live judging of the Afternoon Tea Tray, which drew a good crowd of onlookers and gave people a rare chance to hear the judges’ thought processes firsthand.

More than 150 competitors, with the furthest coming all the way from Broken Hill, participated in the Horses in Action program, with more than 300 individual classes to enter.

Community groups, emergency services, local businesses, drought assistance and health programs showed full community support for the show.

Dinkum Dinosaurs drew huge crowds all weekend, and Saturday’s market stalls were so successful that many sold out and had to restock.

Sunday brought colder, wetter weather, but the community still showed up.

“We were blown away by the support,” Ms Westbrook said.

“The combined schools choir performed beautifully, families rugged up and stayed in the wet to cheer them on, and the audience was full.

“That’s the kind of spirit that makes this event so special.”

The show committee is already looking ahead to 2026 and encourages any eager volunteers to express their interest by emailing secretary@coppercoastshow.com.au.

This article appeared in Yorke Peninsula Country Times, 19 August 2025.