Despite the inclement weather at the end of last week, the Royal Geelong Show returned in grand style on the weekend after a two-year hiatus.
Showbags, dodgem cars and fireworks were all back on display as people flocked back to the Show for the first time since 2019.
Royal Geelong Show Society Vice President David Heath said downpours on Thursday had led to a quiet opening day, but the crowds returned in full force once the weather began to turn fine on Friday.
“There were still quite a few people around on Thursday, because that was our free day, and they all enjoyed the day” Mr Heath said.
“Friday was very pleasant, and the crowds were about and having a great time, particularly on Friday evening with the monster trucks and all our other events in the arena.
“And Saturday was a cracker. I’ve been with the society for 20 years and that was the biggest Saturday we’ve ever had, it was a beautiful day with a great crowd.
“Everybody seemed to have a ball. Conditions were a little a little soft underfoot in a few places, but we put down a lot of wood chips to remediate that.”
Mr Heath said he was very thankful to the Society’s sponsors and all the volunteers who ensured the Show could run its full program over the weekend despite the weather.
“We’d particularly like to thank our volunteers, from the Lions Club manning the gates, to the all the internal sectional people putting on the cattle and sheep shows and many others,” Mr Heath said.
“Apart from the dog show, which is a separate committee, all of our competitions, everything else ran as scheduled.
“We’d also like to thank the public who came and supported the Show and enjoyed themselves while they were here.
“Everybody seemed very pleased to be able to get back out and do something after the long COVID experience, and we loved putting on the event.”
