Pictured is 2022 Cootamundra Showgirl Georgie Heggaton with 2023 entrants Madi Robinson, Anna McClintock and Emily Potter.
The annual popular Conqueror Milling Cootamundra Show is returning for its 2023 edition this weekend, Friday 20th and Saturday 21st of October, on its usual date of the third weekend of October at the Cootamundra Showgrounds. The Show on Saturday will run from 9am to 9pm, will the day jampacked full of excitement. This year’s Coota Show will include some fan favourite events as well as events that have been missing in past shows, including the Wood Chop, Speed Shear, market stalls, Beef Cattle, Cootamundra Showgirl judging, plus heaps more. Heather Bush, Assistant Secretary of the Cootamundra Show spoke to The Times in the lead up to the Show’s competitive exhibits in the pavilion on Friday as well as the official Cootamundra Show day on Saturday.
“The build up to the show is going really well. We have lots of entertainment planned and everything seems really good and is on track for the week end,” “The way we’ve worked out the entertainment schedule, there’ll be something to look at all day for the whole family. “The 2023 Cootamundra Showgirl will be announced at the opening at 3pm on Saturday. We have three local girls who include Madi Robinson, Anna McClintock and Emily Potter, with the winner to be presented by last year’s Showgirl Georgie Heggaton. “We’ve got a lot of trade stalls and commercial exhibits in the Ned Steiger Pavilion. A lot of community groups are taking part with displays during the Show too. “The Speed Shear is going to be really big this year. There is about $15,000 worth of prizes for that competition and it’s definitely a bigger prize pool than we’ve ever had before. “I know that people are travelling a lot of hours to be here for the Speed Shear. I know people who are driving nine hours to take part in that competition here. That’s going to be a big draw card to get guests through the gate. “We’ll also have Yard Dogs re turning this year. We didn’t have them last year because the yards where the Yard Dogs were held were too wet. That sounds like it’s attracted a lot of interest this year, it’s going to be a really big day for them. They are starting at 7:30am to try and get through them all.
“We also have the wood chop competition, which is back after an absence of probably 15 years. We have the Dog High Jump starting at 5pm, and we haven’t had that for possibly over 20 years. There are some great prizes for the Dog High Jump. “Then at night, the fireworks are always the most popular event.
The fireworks are at 8pm and the official close of the Show is about 9pm. “The Cootamundra Show is always a really good day out and this year we’re hoping it will be bigger and better than ever.” Bush also explained what occurs on the Friday of the Cootamundra Show, prior to the main day on Saturday. “Friday isn’t actually the show day, Friday is when people place their competitive exhibits in the pavilion. All exhibits have to be placed by 11am on Friday,” Bush continued. “This year, the Alan Elliot Pavilion will be open from 9am until 8pm. Normally people can collect their pavilion exhibits on Saturday night but this year we’re going to have collection on Sunday from 9am until 12pm-noon.”
Like all country shows, they rely on the support of various sponsors, which Heather Bush was very appreciative of. “We’re just very supportive for our sponsors and the support that they’ve given us. We’re a small country town and we need the support of the community. Conqueror Milling are our major sponsor this year. “Last year we had about 4,000 people attend the Show and we would hope we’ll have something similar this year. It’s just a really great family day out. “We have lots of free entertainment with the animal nursery and there’s just so much to look at that is free. It’s not going to break the bank.”
Tickets to the 2023 Cootamundra Show can only be purchased at the gate and cost $12 for an adult, $6 for pensioners and children aged 17 years and under, and $30 for a family pass (two adults, two kids). This year’s Cootamundra Show is shaping up to be one of the best instalments yet.
