HORSHAM’S 139th annual show has kicked off the Wimmera’s 2017 show season.
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The show started in a different style this year, with a twilight riverfront carnival on Saturday night.
A restricted area with showbags and sideshow alley opened to the public that night before the main gates at Horsham Showgrounds swung open on Sunday morning.
A variety of thrill rides and more traditional carnival activities such as laughing clown games and inflatable slides greeted patrons, along with the familiar smells of hot jam donuts and dagwood dogs.
Horsham’s Shannon Tumeth was one of the first to try the Freak Out ride, a new attraction for the show this year.
The ride resembles a giant claw, which rotates as the pendulum it is attached to swings from back to front.
Mr Tumeth said he enjoyed watching the other riders’ face expressions as they were spun around and thrown upside down.
“I’m originally from Queensland and I’ve been to all the theme parks, and this ride is definitely up there with the most fun ones I’ve been on,” he said.
Anne and Andrew Graham of Brisbane enjoyed checking out the competition entries at the show.
“We are looking through our grandson Angus Heard’s entries,” Mr Graham said.
Angus, 4, came third in the arrangement of a wooden spoon category.
Horsham CWA members also celebrated a handful of competition wins at the show.
Craft leader Bev Shalders said the group entered six items, including a high tea tray and a shearer’s food tray.
“It’s something we look forward to each year,” she said.
Publicity officer Robyn Abbey said show entries were a group effort.
Horsham’s Janelle Whittaker said she and her family attended the show most years.
She said it was important to support such events.
“We would like it to continue. It’s one of those things – if you don’t come, it might not be here next year,” she said.
Mrs Whittaker said her children loved the showbags and the rides.
The show will continue on Monday with a family fun day from noon until 7pm.
Major entertainment includes the Rooftop Express Show, sideshow alley and an animal nursery.
People can also take part in building the world’s biggest cubby house village.
Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children and concession, and free for children under five.
The Horsham Agricultural Horse Show will run on Tuesday and Wednesday.