Hobart Show gets ready to roll, with 50,000 people expected to attend

MORE than 800 Hobart Show devotees put the finishing touches on the event’s attractions yesterday ahead of the gates swinging open tomorrow.

TAS_MER_NEWS_SHOWWRAP_20OCT14

MORE than 800 Hobart Show devotees put the finishing touches on the event’s attractions yesterday ahead of the gates swinging open tomorrow.

SUCH A HARD AXE TO FOLLOW

Showbag hall is ready, the animals have settled into their temporary homes and dagwood dogs are poised over vats of tomato sauce ready for the crowd of 50,000 people expected over the four days.

Weather bureau forecaster Damien Everett said patrons should brace themselves for typical, unpredictable show weather — hot one minute, cold and rainy the next.

Royal Agricultural Society of Tasmania chief executive Scott Gadd said it was difficult to put a price on the show’s economic benefits but said it provided opportunities for the wider community too.

“We get around 50,000 people and they usually spend $100 each,” he said.

“Plus there are the wages of the 400 or 500 people who are employed this week.

“I think just the show alone would be worth $5-10 million by the time you added everything up.”

Danny Whitbread, 12, from Tunnack, with some of the showbags on offer. Pictures: RICHARD JUPE

Judging has already started and the standout category this year is the beef cattle section, which has recorded an 82 per cent increase in the number of entries compared with last year.

And work on the new $38 million Bunnings superstore continued yesterday while showmen and women prepared for the crowds.

Mr Gadd said the development would not disrupt the show’s activities.

He said a poultry pavilion that was originally on the Bunnings site had been relocated and its new venue provided exhibitors with more space.

Meanwhile, teacher Mandy Rogers ensured students didn’t miss out on schooling yesterday as their parents prepared for four busy days.

The School for Travelling Show Children is a community organisation that has received backing from the showmen’s guild this year to keep students focused on their schoolbooks.

Ms Rogers said classes had been held at bowling clubs, in little sheds and in other small rooms.

“But we make do,’’ she said.

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