Caroline Hammat
Organisers of the 145th Millicent Show are pleased with this year’s turnout hailing the weekend a success.
Official gate takings are still to be confirmed but initial reports have the figures slightly down on last year’s numbers but better than the 2019 event.
Perfect weather across the three days saw show goers from across the region turnout for a action packed weekend of entertainment.
Late cancellation of the popular Friday night Motocross event seems to have had minimal impact as the Speed Shear event proved a popular replacement.
65 shearers registered for the competitive event with Tiare Tipu taking first place in the open category with a time of 20.21 seconds.
It was standing room only in the shearing shed as the full capacity of 200 spectators was met.
Secretary of the Millicent Show Society, Sue Vanderheul, said
“Everybody was really rapt with the Speed Shear event.
“We are really hoping to have one next year as well as the motorbikes, and a sports shear on the Saturday.”
Large crowds turned out to watch the both the lawn mowing racing and Garner’s ever popular demo derby on Saturday.
19 demo derby cars took 20 minutes to battle it out, with second time entrant, Joe Williams handed the winning flag for being the last car running.
The Williams family from Murray Bridge had entered three Finding Nemo themed cars in the spectacle and were excited to be taking the prize home this year.
President of the Showmen’s Guild have told Ms Vanderheul they are happy with the how the weekend went despite issues getting onto the site earlier in the week due to the recent wet weather.
“The Showmen’s Guild had a few of their trucks get bogged” Ms Vanderheul said.
“They had started turning up late Saturday after the Penola show and parked, then we got the rain and the trucks just sank.
“Four got bogged quite deep just off the main roadway in our grounds.
“They needed help with Bowman’s Earthmoving loader to get them in position.
“Bowman’s were fantastic, we just ring them up and they are here to help out.
“There’s always a few hiccups, but you deal with it.”
There have been no cooking entries since the 2019 show due to Covid restrictions and numbers for these categories were up this year.
Boosted entries were helped by the hosting of the the semi-finals of the Rich fruit cake, Genoa cake and Laucke scone championship.
The recent wintry weather had an impact on the number of produce and roses entries, with many potential winners battered and bruised in the week before delivery.
Stud cattle entries returned for the first time in a few years and white wool entries were high.
Ms Vanderheul said planning is already underway for next year’s show with little rest for the dedicated show committee.
