THE Oberon Show will be cut back to only one day next year, but this won’t affect the quality of the annual event, according to organisers.
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The show be cut back on a trial basis, and a laser light show is proposed as the highlight of a new-look evening program.
Show society president Lynne Butterfield said that despite additional events being added to the Sunday program is recent years, there had been no change to that day’s attendance, and it had always been a problem to get a worthwhile attendance on the second day.
“Cutting the show back to one day is something that we have talked about just about every year, but this time we have decided to give it a try, and put on everything in the one day,” she said.
“I would stress that this is just an experiment. After the show we will examine the results, and decide where to go from there.
“However, in 2016 we would hope to go back to a two-day show, but we shall wait and see.”
The only major event to be removed from the program is the dog obedience trial – previously held on a Sunday – and this omission will only be for next year. The championship dog show will go ahead on as usual.
The ring events and the gymkhana classes will also both be held on the Saturday, instead of taking place over two days.
In another change, Miss Showgirl will be selected on the Friday before the show. The Miss Junior, Miss Teen and Master Jackeroo contest – which is open to both boys and girls – will be moved to midmorning on Saturday.
The show’s evening program is also getting a big makeover. The evening events co-ordinator Nick Wills is investigating what laser light shows are available to replace the traditional fireworks, and it is planned to work this into a program which will also feature a ute muster – another event normally held on a Sunday – with ute barrel races and a steer ride.
“Because there is already a major rodeo taking place in the region on that day, we are looking to replace the normal bull ride with a steer ride for beginners and novices,” he said.
“We would look to alternate this with the ute barrel races, and really work up a top evening’s program.”
The show will be held on February 14, 2015.