The 158th edition of the Maitland Show gets underway this Friday, February 15 at Maitland Showground.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The theme for this year’s three-day event is “Celebrate the land” and nothing offers up a better opportunity for that than a traditional country show.
Indeed the Maitland Show is the second oldest show on the Australian mainland and strives to showcase the best of the rural community.
“This year we’re bigger and better than ever with an action-packed line-up covering everything from musical horse rides to the demolition derby, plus all the traditional show stuff,” Maitland Showground manager Fiona Abernethy said.
“Friday highlights includes a special school day with free admittance to school groups between 10 am and 2pm.
“We have an activity trail designed for the children attending, including a passport in which they can collect stamps/stickers at various destinations around the Showground.”
On Friday there will be horse and cattle events, as well as the static displays which will include the school scarecrow competition entries.
There will also be an opportunity to get friendly with the gang in the animal nursery, check out the reptile display, visit the RSPCA EMU and lots of other fun activities and entertainment.
“Pavilions open daily at 10am each day and an animal nursery will be in operation across the three days offering the young and young at heart a chance to get up and personal with live farm animals,” Ms Abernethy said.
“The show, MC-ed again this year by John Gilmour, will be officially opened at 5pm on Friday, followed by the announcement of Miss Showgirl and then the rodeo.”
The popular Scarecrow Competition is back in 2019, with entry form form and details available to download.
Action continues over the next two days with a long list of competitions, animal, craft, sporting and cultural displays and entertainment including the mighty Team Isuzu D-MAX car presentation and a fireworks display.
“It’s great value family entertainment with something for everyone and a genuine introduction to the rural character of our valley,” Ms Abernethy said.
“I urge everyone to get along. We’ve got our fingers crossed with the weather, but it’s all looking promising at the moment.”
Friday
- 8am – 3pm: Cattle Clinic
- 8am – 2:30pm: Horse Events
- 10am – 9pm: Pavilions Open
- 10am – 10pm: Sideshow Alley
- 10am – 2pm: School Day
- 10am – 2pm and 3pm – 8pm: Animal Nursery presented by Burton Automotive Group
- 11am – 7pm: Reptile Show
- 4pm – 11pm: Bar Operating
Centre Ring
- 4:30pm: Novice Barrel Race
- 5:30pm: Official Opening, National Anthem, Showgirl Presentation
- 6pm: Rodeo presented by O’Neill’s Tyres Maitland
- 11pm: Show Closes
Saturday
- 8am – 3pm: Stud Beef
- 8am – 3pm: Horse Events
- 8am – 3pm: Dog Show
- 10am – 9pm: Pavilions Open
- 10am – 9:30pm: Sideshow Alley
- 11am – 3pm: Woodchop
- 10am – 2pm and 3pm – 8pm: Animal Nursery presented by Burton Automotive Group
- 11am – 7pm: Reptile Show
- 3pm – 9pm: Bar Operating
Centre Ring
- 12pm: RFS Brigade Competition
- 2:30pm: RFS Brigade Competition
- 3pm: Kirkwoods Karate Demonstration
- 3:30pm: Haystack Competition
- 4pm: RFS Brigade Competition
- 4:45pm: Camel Cup Heat 1
- 5pm: Team Isuzu D-MAX presented by Hunter Isuzu
- 5:15pm: Camel Cup Heat 2
- 5:30pm: RAAF Dog Display
- 6pm: Camel Cup Heat 3
- 6:15pm: RM Williams Stock Horse Display
- 6:45pm: Camel Cup Heat 4
- 7pm: Speedway
- 7:45pm: Camel Cup Final
- 8pm: Team Isuzu D-MAX presented by Hunter Isuzu
- 8:30pm: Demolition Derby
- 9pm: Fireworks sponsored by Hunter Readymix Concrete
- 10pm: Show Closes
Sunday
- 8:00am – 3pm: Goats
- 8am – 2pm: Horse Events
- 10am – 2pm: Pavilions Open
Continued over page
