Dalby Show preview: cancellations and restructure but the show will go on

Extreme wet weather has caused some cancellations and a new layout for the Dalby Show, but there is a host of fun events and activities for all the family to enjoy. Here’s everything you need to know:

The Dalby and District Show Society has battled through the extreme wet weather to organise a fun weekend for everyone, despite some event cancellations.

This year is the 152nd Annual Dalby Show and it comes straight off the back of a major flood event that saw properties inundated with water, and families left cleaning up driveways and yards.

Due to wet grounds, the horse events and sheep dog trials will be postponed to a later date, with the cattle event being cancelled completely according to secretary of the Dalby and District Show Society Raelene Akers.

This year’s show will see changes to the layout, as the Knowles Pavilion was used as the evacuation centre during the major flood emergency, Ms Akers said.

“We had to shift things around because council had it for three days, it means we’ve changed the structure. All pot plants and crafts are in the Knox Pavilion, and the school display is now in the Knowles Pavilion,” she said.

People can breathe a sigh of relief as the popular rodeo is going ahead as planned at 5pm Saturday, and is one of the most hyped events of the weekend.

“We’ve also got five-time Golden Guitar winner Amber Lawrence playing after the rodeo,” Ms Akers said.

Other events that will still go ahead include the lawnmower races on Friday night and Saturday morning.

“The other thing is free kids entertainment, we have sheep shearing competitions, hobby horseshow jumping and relay races, their prizes are bags of lollies, every child gets something and it’s free for the parents,” Ms Akers said.

The Dalby Show was cancelled in 2020 due to Covid-19 but went ahead last year, and will go ahead this year abiding by Covid regulations.

All attendees must be double vaccinated to enter the event, Ms Akers said this means there will be more security present over the two days to ensure people are complying.

“We’re still expecting a good-sized turn out, our normal numbers are about 4000 to 5000 over the two days, we’re hoping to still get around 3000,” Ms Akers said.

Gates will open at 8am Friday and Saturday and is located on the corner of Nicholson and Wilkes Streets.

General admission for adults is $10, children aged 15 to 17 $5, children under 14 free and pensioners $5.

Tickets can be purchased online or at the gate.

All attendees over the age of 16 must be double vaccinated and use the Covid Check-In app at the gate.