2023 Dorrigo Show nods to tradition on Mid North Coast

Pluto pups, burly axe men and farm animals proud set the scene for the final agricultural show on the North Coast for 2023 at Dorrigo Showgrounds west of Coffs Harbour today. See all the photos.

Emma Williams, Dillon Carey and Cooper West at the Dorrigo Show. Picture: Chris Knight

A fresh committee is at the helm but the eager beavers were keen to look back at a long history for inspiration to shape this year’s Dorrigo Show.

The two-day event got underway at the showgrounds on Friday and local Victoria Cross recipient Mark Donaldson will formally open the gala on Saturday afternoon.

“We’re a true country agricultural show - if the Sydney Easter Show had a baby then this is it,” Dorrigo Show Society secretary Vicki Lennon said.

The show has been running for 110 years, pausing ever so briefly over that time only for war and Covid.

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Tradition held tight at 2023 Dorrigo Show | Photos

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It’s an event which is unashamedly honest, with plenty of livestock, horses and chooks.

There’s cow bells and whistles too.

“We’ve got a rodeo tonight and on Saturday night we’ll have a demolition derby which we haven’t had for a while and it’s always very popular,” Ms Lennon said.

“This year there’s more trade spaces than ever and we have a lot of food vans so it’s ideal for families.”

And it wouldn’t be a dinkum’ Dorrigo Show without the woodchop - as some of the finest axe wielders in the land hail from the high country above Coffs Harbour.

There’d been just enough rain on Friday morning to get the rich red soil clumping to the boots, a welcome sight for locals after an extended dry on the NSW Mid North Coast.

“We’re a new committee this year and we’re really focused on our ‘first show’ - but we’re keeping it traditional,” Ms Lennon said.