Forecast is for show to shine

By Jim Mynard
BERWICK Show Society past president John Tyrrell said the committee was looking forward to a great show after last year’s washout.
Heavy rain swept across the showgrounds during Saturday afternoon for the 2006 show and washed out the normally highly vibrant Saturday night family activities.
Mr Tyrrell said everything was set for the 2007 show and that only good weather was now needed to make it a bumper event.
“The Saturday night washout cost us a lot of money last year because we have popular activities such as the six bar event and novelty horse racing,” Mr Tyrrell said.
“Team events are popular.
“This year we will have the massive Sampson the Monster Truck at 3.30pm and again at 9pm.
“All up we have a fantastic Saturday night’s entertainment from 6.30pm to 9.30pm and this includes fireworks, and the Showmen’s Guild sideshows that will be running continuously.”
He reminded patrons that no pass outs would be given at this year’s show, so it’s a case of once in that’s it.
Mr Tyrrell said the Berwick Show was the biggest and best event in the City of Casey and is a City of Casey Australia Day best event winner.
“We expect more than 20,000 people to visit the show during the weekend.”
He said the animal nursery was the most popular event for children and that 5000 children went through the animal nursery last year.
“This is so important to children that we are building a bigger and better animal nursery pavilion that will be ready for the 2008 show.
“There is obvious interaction between the kids and the baby animals.”
He said the Akoonah Park centre at the south end of the grounds was proving to be a real asset and that the dog high jump and gumboot throwing events would be held in front of the pavilion at 12.30pm and 1.30pm on Saturday.
“The grand parade will take to the main oval at 3pm on Saturday and this will set the scene for the great Sampson Monster Truck show.”
Although based on the old country agricultural show, the Berwick Show now takes in country and city and provides a staggering range of exhibitions and entertainment.