Burdekin Show Doubles Down On Community Spirit

Burdekin Show Doubles Down On Community Spirit

Local focus, community competitions and classic show favourites headline next Wednesday’s Burdekin Show, as organisers aim to push attendance past 5,000 and deliver what they describe as the most community-driven program yet.

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The upcoming event at Ayr Showgrounds is set to lean heavily into local participation, with organisers intentionally shifting away from outsourced entertainment and instead building a program powered by community groups, volunteers and homegrown competitors.

Vice-president of the show committee Brendan Kolb said the change was deliberate and designed to put locals at the centre of the event.

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“We’ve still got all the crowd favourites, but the difference this year is we’ve kept it all local,” Mr Kolb said.

“We're relying on the community to get involved, put their nominations in and join in with all the fun.”

The program retains its familiar drawcards, including Melville’s Animal Farm, Timmy the Train, duck races, My Pets Pet Show, dog high jump, precision reptile displays, Honeycombes Tractor Pull, live machinery demonstrations, and a fireworks finale.

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But this year’s emphasis is firmly on community-run competitions, including the Stockman’s Challenge, Bushman’s Relay, Watermelon Eating Competition, Dachshund Races and a “Best Dressed Dachshund” contest.

The Stockman’s Challenge will see competitors complete a series of fast-paced rural tasks such as rolling swags, moving hay bales, handling stockman equipment and assembling gear under time pressure.

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The Bushman’s Relay will test team-based agricultural skills across multiple age divisions, while the Watermelon Eating Competition will see entrants race to eat the most, with prize money and bragging rights on the line.

The committee is expecting more than 5,000 attendees through the gates this year. If attendance hits the target, it would edge past last year’s turnout of just under 5,000.

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Mr Kolb said the final product will be a year of work in the making, with planning for the show beginning immediately after the previous year’s event.

“It’s basically a job that never finishes,” he said.

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“As soon as the posters go up, everyone starts talking about it. It’s definitely an event people circle on their calendar.

“In the end, it's very rewarding to see it all come together each year, and to be able to put it on for our local community and out-of-towners as well,” he said.

The Burdekin Show will run on Wednesday, June 24, with entry specials available from 9.30am to 11am. Adult tickets are $5, students $2, and children under five free. No pass-outs apply during the discounted entry period.

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For more information, contact the Burdekin Show Committee on PH: 0459 831 790, E: burdekinshow@gmail.com, or visit W: www.burdekinshow.org.

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