By RUSSELL BENNETT
THIS year’s Berwick Show is just around the corner, and it has plenty of sights, sounds and attractions for everyone in the local community.
Held at the Berwick Showgrounds at Akoonah Park on 21 and 22 February, the show will feature an incredible range of exhibits and competitions, with animals including horses, cattle, sheep, goats, alpacas, rabbits and poultry.
There will also be horticulture, arts and crafts, cooking, photography, wood chop, truck pull and ‘beaut ute’ competitions as well as the traditional fun run.
There will be two stages full of entertainment, with the arena stage a brand new addition to this year’s show. It will feature a full evening programme of performers, including David Key – who has launched into his first Australian tour after wowing audiences in Melbourne with his Vaudeville and magic shows.
He is a ‘must see’ act for people of all ages – performing his signature illusions, mixed in with comedy and some spellbinding magic.
David Leach’s circus and magic show is aimed predominantly at children between the ages of three and 12 years but he is also a captivating performer for parents and adults.
In addition, the freestyle motocross bikes promise to be a thrilling watch, and the Australian Sporting Horses will conduct their championships on the arena on Saturday night.
A new addition for this year’s show is the ‘produce paddock’.
Local producers will showcase a range of samples for the show’s visitors to try in a relaxed setting.
From standout local wines, to cheeses, apple juice, olive oil and plenty of freshly-grown local produce samples by a chef from a local restaurant – the produce paddock will have it all.
Not to be forgotten, new Bass MP and Outlook Life Governor Brian Paynter will be the guest speaker at this year’s Berwick Show and Chamber Dinner on Saturday 21 February. For $85 per person, the three-course meal also comes with entry and privileged parking to the Berwick Show, and a private viewing area to enjoy the main oval attractions such as a motorbike spectacular, jugglers, fire eaters, novelty horses and fireworks.
The dinner will be held from 6.30pm until late, with a $10 discount per person for members of the Berwick Chamber of Commerce and the Berwick and District Agricultural and Horticultural Society. Net proceeds of the event will go to Outlook.
To book, visit http://www.trybooking.com/GUQI.