THE 104th year of the Marburg Show was a hit among showgoers and exhibitors, even the weather played ball and a record number of dogs competed in different categories on the Friday.
Show Secretary Sue Kunde said 800 dogs were judged across two separate rings.
“We usually have around 400 and they have one show ring, the extra numbers meant it was really busy,” Sue said.
“People came from all over South East Queensland to bring their dogs to be judged.”
Livestock placing and numbers hadn’t been tallied and submitted when the Moreton Border News spoke with Sue, but she said those sections were well supported.
She estimated that about 3,000 people came through the gates and were attracted by the good weather and an action packed program.
It was also Brian Heath’s first show as President.
“It was a steep learning curve but I was really impressed by the way the team worked together to get the job done,” he said.
“We’re only a committee of 20 odd people, but everyone pitched in and helped from the previous Monday all the way through to Sunday.
“It shows the community spirit in Marburg because so many people came to the show.”
He said he was impressed by the number of entries in the various sections.
“Cattle numbers were exceptional and there were well over 200 poultry entries,” he said.
“There was also a lot of new exhibitors and I heard from the stewards that entries were up so that’s a positive sign for the show’s future.
“We’re getting the message out there that we want more people involved.”
Horse entry numbers were up too and running across six rings at one stage as judges tried to get through all the entries.
Some of the quirkier events included horse archery, which is not something you see every day!
“I’d only ever seen the event as a showgoer, which is a very small window, I realise now there’s so much more that goes on behind the scenes,” Brian said.
“There’s planning meetings and problem solving … I was blown away by the amount of time people put into supporting the show when they’re all volunteers.”
Mayor Teresa Harding, Blair MP Shayne Neumann and Ipswich West MP Wendy Bourne were at the show in their professional capacities.
The smell of meat cooking on a barbeque at the show society’s canteen kept punters returning as volunteers cooked up a storm from breakfast to dinner.
Sue said the dinosaur show proved a hit with the children and the wide array of displays, demonstrations, exhibits and performances made this year’s show a resounding success.
