THOUSANDS of people visited the Marburg Showgrounds during the weekend for the Marburg Garden and Outdoor Expo.
Marburg Show Society vice president Barb Frohloff said numbers were down from last year but other events on at the same time were likely to blame.
“We are looking at scheduling the expo for earlier in the year, so we’re not competing with other events,” she said.
“Some people complained it was too hot so it may be better held in the cooler months.”
Something expo goers said was ‘excellent’ was the parking and entry into the grounds.
The smooth transition from car to exhibits made for a stress-free experience.
“We had more room this year because more of the showgrounds was available for us,” she said.
“People spent the day there, and there was a wide variety of food to purchase in our three food courts.
“We had a canteen, a bar and an instant café where people could buy sandwiches, pikelets with jam and cream, lamingtons and all that.”
Some of the most popular stalls were ones with roses, orchids and native plants.
“I bought home a crucifix orchid and some other plants that caught my eye, because we were so flat chat I didn’t have much time to walk around and have a look at everything,” she said.
It wasn’t just plants on display, as outdoor furniture, décor, barbeques and cooking appliances were there too.
Garden décor like windmills, statues and ornamental fencing drew crowds.
Expo organisers make sure they have a range of items renters and homeowners can make use of when beautifying their home and gardens.
Money made from the expo is put back into showground facilities.
“The showgrounds are used by numerous community clubs and associations,” she said.
“The expo benefits a whole range of clubs here at Marburg.”
When the committee was setting up on the Thursday, it started raining, something they’d been dreading considering the outdoor nature of the event.
“Thankfully it didn’t rain until 8pm that night, the weather was great,” she said.
“It was a fabulous day.”
