THIRD time lucky.
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That’s the wish of Albury Show Society as the group prepares for its biggest weekend of the year.
The past two Albury Shows have been wet affairs but this week’s drier conditions have encouraged society president Haydn Shipard.
And owing to weather-related cancellations on the circuit, many of the attractions arrived at the showgrounds in North Albury well ahead of Friday’s opening.
“It‘s the most rides that I’ve seen for quite a few years, and the bigger ones too,” Mr Shipard said.
“They’ve just been robbed of all their income because the shows haven’t been on, so they’ve all merged here.”
Since forming in 1857, the society has brought together the best of country produce and stock.
This year will see some of Australia’s best axe men displaying their skills, with two Victorian and one national wood chopping championship to be decided.
A new event is the whip cracking spectacular while tent peggers and working sheep dogs will also provide demonstrations. Reptiles will feature among the animals to be seen, along with the more usual horses, cattle, poultry, sheep and miniature goats.
Mr Shipard said entries had been strong throughout the sections, which include art and craft, photography and children’s work.
“All the pavilions are filling up quite fast,” he said.
The Great Albury Lego Challenge, Teddy bear’s picnic, animal nursery, a Sunday Fun Day of novelty events, the grand parade and fireworks both Friday and Saturday are other highlights.
In show bag alley there’s a range of goodies like Bertie Beetle, a show staple for more than half a century.
Rick Morris, who has sold show bags for 35 years, said the goodies started as free sample bags of various products.
“With show bags, they’re unique to Australia, they’re nowhere else in the world,” he said.
Four youngsters looking through the bags knew what they liked to find.
“Lollies,” they said as one.
The 2016 Albury Show opens on Friday at 3pm and continues Saturday and Sunday.