Roma Show 2023: Your guide to what’s on, plans for the future, cancellations and more
With a record number of dog show entries, this year’s Roma Show is set to be one for the ages. Here’s your complete guide to the event and how you can get involved.
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This year’s Roma Show is set to be bigger and better than ever as it celebrates its 139th year showcasing the hard work of local farmers, horse riders, pet owners, artists and more.
Roma Show Society president Alanah Ladbrook said she is most looking forward to hosting the Queensland Show Jumping Championships which will see 150 show jumpers from across the country compete at Bassett Park over the coming days.
“The show jumping started today and will run into tomorrow on Senex Friday with the big Grand Prix on Saturday at around 1pm,” she said.
“We’ve had a record number of dog entries for the pampered pooches with more than 200 hundred nominations. This is the first year it’s been back in 30 years.”
Ms Ladbrook said they’ve shifted a few things around this year because the wool events and the Showgirl and Ambassadors competitions have been cancelled.
“There are a few younger girls who have begun their campaign for next year’s showgirl competition and we are encouraging more people to put their hands up. Even the boys for the Ambassador competition,” she said.
“It’s great to take advantage of the competition. Some people are concerned with peer pressure and perhaps a few people saying to them ‘oh who are you, showing off’.
“But it’s a wonderful opportunity where I met people I never would have met and had experiences I never would have had with judges across the state if I didn’t put my hand up.”
Ms Ladbrook said the society is in talks with the Maranoa Regional Council to see how they can further support the show and improve facilities and resources in the future.
“It costs us $20,000, plus $10,000 for cleaning and $10,000 for security. That’s before we even open the gates we’ve got that big bill in front of us,” she said.
“People will come and spend two to four days in Roma for the show, which means they’re in town and spending money.
“The show ensures people are going shopping at businesses who are our sponsors and even to prepare animals you’ve got to be buying food and other things for them.
“And Machinery Alley allows businesses to show off their products to visitors who may not even realise certain businesses sold these things.”
Keep reading to find out what activities and events are on over the next two days:
Men’s breakfast and official opening ceremony
Early on Friday morning at 7am, attendees will be treated to a men’s breakfast in the Upstairs Members Bar with guest speaker Richard Rains.
Then at 12pm the Roma Show 2023 will be officially opened by Richard Rains with a special performance of the National Anthem by Maranoa Music.
Fireworks
Always a crowd pleaser is the fireworks display which will begin at 8pm on Saturday night. Visitors will also be treated to an LED hoop and fans display an hour before at 7pm.
Children’s Pet Parade
Do you have an adorable, prize-winning pet but didn’t register in time for the dog trials? Well, the pet parade has got you covered.
On Friday May 12 bring along your four-legged friend to Machinery Alley (near the Sheep) for the Children’s Pet Parade which is open to all children who attend with a live pet.
Sponsored by Roma Pet World, the parade will begin at 10am.
Sheep Dog Trials
As a major staple of the Roma Show, the sheep dog trials will kick off at 6.30am over the three days located at the Dog Trial Arena.
Entertainment Pavilion
Over an action-packed two days, the Entertainment Pavilion will host a wide range of activities and performances scheduled to keep visitors enthralled.
The Maranoa Music Concert Band & Strings Group will kick off the entertainment program on both days as they perform from 10am.
The Edrine Keegan School of Ballet will perform dances on both days starting at 10.45am on Friday and 1pm on Saturday.
Children and adults alike can improve their cake decorating skills with a children’s workshop on Friday at 12.30pm and on Saturday at 11.30am, and adult classes scheduled at 2pm on both days.
Don’t miss out on a giant bubble roving performance, a hula hoop play space and a mixed circus play space with juggling balls and spinning plates throughout both days, plus a special Saturday night musical performance by Jamal at 7pm.
Fashion Parades
Put on your best frocks and attires and take part in one of the many fashion shows happening over the weekend.
On Friday, you can choose between the 11.30am and 2pm show times and on Saturday shows have been planned for 11.30pm, 2.30pm and 5.30pm.
What’s on under the Grandstand
Make sure to stop by and check out the all day displays underneath the grandstand this Friday and Saturday.
From school displays, to youth exhibits and handwriting, a Roma History display and wood turning demonstrations from the Mens Shed.
What’s on at the Show Jumping Ring
Dubbed as Senex Friday, the show jumping will begin with a course walk at 7.15am with the competition beginning at 7.30am.
Show jumping will be on again on Saturday with the course walk starting 15 minutes later at 7.30am and the competition starting at 7.45am.
What’s on at the Main Ring
Friday will start off with the Australian Stock Horse Classes in Ring 1 and the Pony LED events in Ring 2 at 8am.
Don’t forget to check out the Saddling Enclosure in the Beginner’s Ring at 9am.
Further there’s the District Hack events at 11.30am, the Stock Horse Ridden events at 1pm and the Fashions Off The Track at 5.30pm.
The next morning on Saturday is jam-packed with the Adults Riders, the Black Trucks Galloway Hacks, the Open Hacks, the Rodney Hoffman Memorial Off The Track Thoroughbred Hack, the Ladbrook’s Butchery Champion Hack and the GM Boyce Memorial Supreme Hack of the Show all taking place in the Main Ring at 8am.
Saturday afternoon from 1.30pm will be the Champion of Champions Hack GJ Brandon & Associates.
What’s on at the Main Pavilion
Enjoy displays showcasing talented local art, photography, handicraft, cookery and cake decorating, home brew, welding and fabrication across both days.
What’s on at Machinery Alley
You definitely don’t want to miss out on any of the activities planned for Machinery Alley this weekend.
Throughout Friday and Saturday there will be pig races, billy cart races, a courtesy train, dinkum dinosaurs and much more fun for the whole family.
On Saturday at 9am, the first group for the Championship Dog Show will compete in front of the Poultry Pavilion while the second group competes beside the Wool Hall.
At 11am, local Ben Walsh will begin his shearing demonstration adjacent to the stud sheep and the U Beaut Ute and Car Show will also begin.
While judging and presentations for the U Beaut Ute and Car Show will run from 2pm.
What’s on at the Cattle Pavilion
Friday is a big day for the cattle competitions, with Stud Cattle Class Judging kicking off at 9am, followed by Interbreed Judging at 1pm and Led Steer Judging at 3pm.
Then on Saturday, the juniors take over with the Junior Paraders and Junior Judges starting their events at 9am.
What’s on at the Poultry Pavilion
Beginning at 9am this Saturday, poultry judging will take place at the Poultry Pavilion.
What’s on at the Sheep Pavilion
There’s plenty of opportunity to stop by the sheep classification which will run all day from 9am this Friday.
Stockman’s Challenge
The Stockman’s Challenge will begin with a warm up at 8am in the Rodeo Arena and take place in the Camp Draft Arena afterwards.
What’s on at the Wool Hall
Across both days, Farm Garden and Horticulture displays will be open for visitors to observe plus free activities including a chalk drawing on the Wool Hall Building, making flowers for the Do It for Dolly activity and forever remember your time the Roma Show with a photo with the farmer and tractor cut outs.
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