After fires, pandemic, and floods, the Kangaroo Valley Agricultural and Horticultural Show is on track to return with a vengeance. The two-year hiatus has only served to make the community even more welcoming and the organisers even more organised for what is set to be a wonderful two-day celebration of life in Australia’s most beautiful valley.
A true family-friendly event, there is something for everyone from 8.30am until 11pm both days. The traditional show favourites will be centre stage in the Arena, the Paddock, the Poultry Shed and the Pavilion, featuring the hotly contested competitions for Horses, Poultry and Cattle with entrants of all ages and breeds. Alongside the animals are the arts, crafts, cooking and produce. Entries are now open with all the classes and information on the website. https://kangaroovalleyshow.org.au/. And then there’s the entertainment, the local food and drinks, Side Show Alley, the Grand Parade and the Rodeo.
For the first time in KV and anywhere in NSW, the Show will go plastic-free. Local sponsor support has helped to produce thousands of calico bags that will be available for a gold coin contribution while paper bags will replace the plastic showbags.
Membership tickets for the two days are available online at $20 for adults and $10 for children, with single day tickets also available: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/kangaroo-valley-show-2023-tickets-237948740087.
School is out on Friday especially for the Show, and so it’s Kids’ Day with a huge range of ways to get involved and great prizes to take home. The day will kick off at 8.30am with the Junior Horse events before Children’s Bicycle Races, Dog Obstacle Races and special events like Children’s Fancy Dress, Pet Show and more. There’s Giant games, Frisbee Golf, face painting, Griego the Great Roving Magician, Farmyard Nursery (Saturday only), Camel rides (Saturday only) and Craft Corner going from 10am-3pm.
The Junior Pavilion has 100 classes for children 16 and under to enter: everything from homegrown veggies to cooking, cake decorating, wood and metal work, craft and needlework, flowers, and even a school project. Entries are free and there is no limit on the number of classes you enter.
At the all-new Poultry Shed, the Junior Poultry Event is open to any breed, the only requirement being that a child under 12 has to hand deliver it to the judges before 10am on Friday: https://kangaroovalleyshow.org.au/competitions/junior-pavilion.
On Friday evening, young adults under 17 and children under 12 will have an exclusive party of their own at the Silent Disco tent with the latest DJ playlists to choose from.
KV welcomes relative newcomer Laurie Webb, the reigning Victorian Bush Poetry champion for original performed verse. Laurie believes everyone has a story and bush poetry captures not only the story but the feeling. He runs workshops on writing and performing poetry and is bringing that to the Valley, working with budding poets of all ages to help prepare them for the Poetry in the Paddock stage at this year’s Show. Friday will see children perform, while Saturday will be the adults’ turn.
While the adults take the stage for the experience, children under 16 can sharpen their skills and be in the running for incredible prizes: 1st $100, 2nd $50, 3rd 2 x $25, with judging by fellow local poet and reigning show champion Alan Stone.
Four sites around the Showground will be dedicated to Buskers who are offered a half-hour slot on Saturday from 10am-4pm. This is an open event with no age group divisions and welcomes individuals and groups and talent of all types. Money buckets will be provided so Buskers can gather their tips while they also compete for a prize pool of $1000. With limited slots available, those interested need to apply online: https://kangaroovalleyshow.org.au/competitions/busking.
As Kangaroo Valley has long been considered one of the best places in Australia to go canoeing, it makes perfect sense to include it in the Show. While the Showground is not accessible via the countless flowing rivers into the Valley, the challenge will see participants ‘portage’ or carry their canoe on their shoulders in a race. In this inaugural event, a male and female race will deliver two winners who will be crowned KV Canoe Carry Champion and take a 1st prize of $1000, with 2nd $300, 3rd $150 and 4th $50.
To herald the first-time canoe event on Saturday, Friday night will see the canoes rolled over to make way for a drumming workshop like no other! A colourful and creative Bang on a Boat demonstration performance will be followed by an invitation for participants of all ages to bring the bush to life with rhythm. These great first-time events are thanks to Paddle & Portage Canoes, based in KV.
A Show wouldn’t be complete without the time-honoured events that challenge the strength of people living on the land. The Woodchop, Ironperson, Haystacking, and then something for everyone – the adults’ Tug O War.
Whether you are a motoring enthusiast or just someone who enjoys looking at well-maintained and well-loved cars, get up close with veteran to late model classic cars at the Show n’ Shine Classic Cars display. Revisit days gone by with the traditional farm machinery, steam engines and more at the Antique Farm Machinery display and see a working mill in action with Wood Milling in The Paddock.
This year’s Show has two special events for dog lovers: the favourite Dog High Jump Competition and Sheepdog trials with the Downunder Working Dogs. The High Jump is open to anyone who feels their dog could jump the highest over an incrementally increased log wall, whereas the display by Downunder Working Dogs might help with their training.
Tony Mulvihill is a dog whisperer and has been breeding and training working dogs – kelpies, border collies, koolies and blends of all kinds for more than 30 years. Much like philosophies learned from his horse whisperer mentors around the world, Tony’s unique philosophy is focussed on understanding and relating to dogs to help them discover and explore their natural herding instincts. No rakes, no yelling, no threats or aggression and the results speak for themselves. Catch him in action in The Paddock at the Showground on Saturday.
Interesting interviews and panel conversations will take place this year in a dedicated tent near the KV Hall. Hosted by Frank Barker of Raine and Horne and Lawyer, Mediator and Therapist Gudula Dornseifer, the talks will cover myriad topics from politics to rock wallabies, poetry to property, recycling and the environment. There will be a cheesemaking demonstration and discussion around local produce. Keep an eye on our Facebook page for announcements about the people, the times, the subjects and how you can have your say.
As the sun sets over the mountain, the Showground bar will be a chill-out zone for drinks and music from Jeremy Butterworth (Friday) and Harrison Graham (Saturday).
All the food favourites of the Show will be well catered for along with a variety of cuisines from around the world – mezze to paella, pizza and pies, gozleme and dumplings, coffee, slushies, donuts and proffertjes and ice-creams. Stroll through the market stall alley where local crafts and produce will be on display and for sale.
With so much on offer, grab a schedule or go to the website, www.kangaroovalleyshow.org.au, and settle in with a cuppa to plan your entries and buy your ticket for your weekend at the Show. Better still, become part of the team of volunteers that will make it all happen.
Julie Ward
Program Friday 17 February
8.30am Horses – Junior Events
9.00am Beef Cattle Young Judges Competition (Sydney Show Qualifying Final)
9.30am Dairy & Beef Cattle Judging
9.00am Horses – Australian Stock Horse Classes, Horse Ring 1
9.00am – 5.00pm Unusual Poultry Display
9.30am Cheese & Dairy Produce Judging
9.30am – 11.00am Poetry in the Paddock
10.00am – 3.00pm Children’s Craft Corner
10.00am – 3.00pm Junior Backyard Poultry Event
10.00am – 4.00pm Griego: The Great Roving Magician
10.00am Frisbee Golf
10.00am Horses – Show Jumping
1.00pm Children’s Bicycle Races
1.00 – 8pm Pavilion Opens (after judging)
1.15pm Beef Cattle Parading Competition and 2023 Sydney Royal Easter Show Qualifying Final
2.00pm Horses – Sporting Events
3.00pm Child with Dog Obstacle Races
3.30pm Children’s Events
Children’s Fancy Dress
Children’s Pet Show
Children’s Pet Puppy & Dogs
4.30pm Fastest Dog in Kangaroo Valley Race
5.00pm Novelty & Strength Events (including Tug o’ War for children)
6.00pm OFFICIAL PRESENTATION: Awards Presentation
6.00pm Cheese and Wine Tasting (advance ticket purchase required)
6.30pm Entertainment
– Canoe Drumming Exhibition and Crowd Participation
– Tug o’ War for adults
– Silent Disco
8.30pm Entertainment in the Bar (Jeremy Butterworth)
11.00pm Show closes
NB: While most events are held on the main showground Arena, some events will be held on the Paddock (in front of the Pony Shed Pavilion). Check the program on the day and listen out for announcements.
Program Saturday 18 February
8.30am onwards Horses Ring 1- Children’s Riding Classes; Pony Hack Classes
Horses Ring 2- Hacks; Galloways; Adult Riding Classes
9.00am Pavilion Opens
9.00am Poultry Pavilion Opens
9.00am Horses Ring 3: Miniature Classes – LED; Shetland Pony Classes – LED;
Minatare Pony Classes – LED. Horses Ring 4: Show Jumping
9.00am – 4.00pm Face painting for children
9.30am – 11.00am Poetry in the Paddock (for adults)
10.00am onwards Busker’s sites (4) active – see map for sites around the showgrounds
10.00am onwards Frisbee Golf
10.00am – 10.20am Sheep dog trials with Tony Mulvihill (Downunder Working Dogs)
10.00am – 4.00pm Griego: The Great Roving Magician
10.00am – 3.00pm Reptile Show
10.00am – 4.00pm Farmyard Nursery
10.00am – 4.00pm Camel Rides
10.00am Cheese Making Demonstration – Talk Tent
10.30am – 4.00pm Sheep Shearing
11.00am Tent Talks: Interviews Session 1
11.00am Horses – Heavy Classes
11.00am onwards Wood Chopping Competitions
12.00pm – 12.20pm Sheep dog trials with Tony Mulvihill (Downunder Working Dogs)
12.30pm OFFICIAL WELCOME
12.45pm GRAND PARADE
1.00pm – 5pm Mechanical Bull
2.00pm Tent Talks: Interviews. Session 2
2.00pm Horses – Sporting Events; Six Bar Jump
2.00p – 2.20pm Sheep dog trials with Tony Mulvihill (Downunder Working Dogs)
2.30pm Canoe Races
3.30pm Iron Person Competitions & Hay Stacking Competition
5.00pm Dog High Jump Competition
5.30pm Novelty Events
7.45pm Rodeo
Following Rodeo Entertainment in the Bar (Harrison Graham)
11.00pm Show closes
NB: While most events are held on the main showground Arena, some events will be held on the Paddock (in front of the Pony Shed Pavilion). Check the program on the day and listen out for announcements.
