The Yass Show is set to take place on Saturday, March 15th, and promises an exciting day filled with a variety of events and activities for people of all ages. Admission is affordable, with tickets priced at $10 for adults, $5 for school-aged children, and $5 to park a car, making it an ideal outing for the whole family. This year’s show is set to be even bigger and better, with the introduction of some thrilling new events alongside beloved classics. Among the highlights are the Dog High Jump and the Giant Pumpkin competition, which have generated plenty of excitement within the local community.
The Yass Show will also feature agricultural displays, poultry competitions, kids’ activities, and a range of entertainment for all ages. Whether you’re a fan of animals, sports, or arts and crafts, there will be something for everyone.
The Dog High Jump is one of the most eagerly awaited events of the day. Scheduled to take place at 2:30pm, it will showcase local dogs competing to see who can jump the highest. The event is sure to be a crowd pleaser, especially since Johanna McAuliffe, who is organising this event, is keen to get as many local dogs involved as possible. “I decided to give it a go this year, and we’ll see if it’s something we want to continue in the future,” Johanna said.
According to Johanna, the high jump is designed similarly to a human high jump, with rails on either side and planks added to increase the height. The event is structured as a process of elimination, with dogs having to jump higher with each round. Johanna believes that many local working dogs, especially her own Kelpie dogs, will excel in this competition.
“Jumping is something that working dogs do every day whether it’s clearing fences or hopping onto utes so it’ll be fun to see them put their natural skills to the test,” she explained.
Anne Hazel, the president of the Yass Show, is also thrilled about the new event. “It’s all very exciting,” Anne shared. “We’ve got everything from agricultural displays to the usual horse events and show jumping.”
The Dog High Jump is certainly an event to look out for, but Anne is particularly excited about the Giant Pumpkin competition, which has become a major talking point in the local community.
“I’ve heard that some people have been nursing some giant pumpkins for the competition,” she said. “I’m looking forward to seeing how they measure up!” One person who’s especially passionate about the Giant Pumpkin competition is Toni Rolls, the chief steward of the Fruit and Vegetables section and one of the vice presidents of the Yass Show Society.
Toni has seen the competition grow over the years and is excited to see what this year’s crop will bring. “We’ve had the heaviest pumpkin and decorated pumpkin competitions in previous years,” Toni said.
“In the pumpkin class, we have two categories the heaviest pumpkin and the decorated pumpkin category.”
For the heaviest pumpkin, participants will use a formula to calculate the weight of their pumpkin based on its circumference and other measurements. “We’re looking at pumpkins that could range from 350kg to 400kg,” Toni explained. “But the challenge with pumpkins of that size is that they’re hard to handle. It’s a real effort just to get them to the show, let alone weigh them which is why we have to use our special formula to determine their weight.”
As for the decorated pumpkin category, the size of the pumpkin doesn’t matter. “It can be a commercial pumpkin or a homegrown one,” Toni said. “The fun part is decorating it. People can carve it, paint it, or decorate it however they like. It’s all about creativity and artistic expression.”
The decorated pumpkins are judged by previous past presidents of the Yass Show Society, making it a prestigious competition within the show. Other anticipated events at the show include the popular wood chop competition, which kicks off at 11:00am.
This year’s competition will feature seven events, including a juniors’ category, and is a must see for anyone who enjoys the sport. The Yass Swim Club helps break up the blocks of wood used in the competition, and there are always fantastic prizes, including chainsaw helmets and chaps.
“The axe-men line up with their axes to chop through either standing or horizontal blocks,” Anne explained. “It’s often a handicapped event, where the challenge is adjusted based on the participant’s experience and success rate. It’s a big crowd draw, and the heats and finals are really exciting to watch.”
In addition to the thrilling competitions, the Yass Show is also introducing a fun new competition for local schools to design the first prize cards for the pavilion.
“Instead of ribbons, we’re giving out prize cards to the winners this year,” Anne explained. “The kids who win in the junior sections will have their designs printed on the cards, so they’ll get to see their artwork used for the prizes.”
There’s also a business display competition, where local businesses are encouraged to decorate their windows in honour of the show. “It’s a great way to involve the community,” Anne said. “Most of the vendors at the show are local businesses, and we really appreciate the support they provide to the event.”
While many of the activities are focused on agricultural traditions, the Yass Show is also very family friendly. In addition to the Dog High Jump and pumpkin competitions, there will be a petting paddock where children can interact with animals, as well as a range of free activities. Vintage cars and old machinery will be on display, and the wool marquee near the grandstand will showcase local products. Of course, the usual horse events will also take center stage, including the championship dog show and show jumping.
“There’s something for everyone at the Yass Show,” Anne said. “I always love seeing the shearing demonstrations, but there are so many different things to check out whether it’s the animals, the competitions, or the local products on display.”
Although the show is expected to be a huge success, there is one downside this year. The photography competition will not be taking place due to on-going renovations at the grandstand. “We’re really hoping to have the photography competition back next year when the grandstand is finished,” Anne said. “But even without that, there’s still so much to enjoy. We’ve got a great lineup of events, and the weather looks perfect for the day.”
The Yass Show owes much of its success to the many volunteers who dedicate their time to making the event happen. “The show is run entirely by volunteers, and we couldn’t do it without them,” Anne said. “From maintaining the grounds to organising the events, it takes so many hours of work behind the scenes. It’s a huge team effort.”
Anne also emphasised that there are opportunities for people to get involved even outside of the main event. “We’re always looking for more volunteers, and we appreciate everything they do. It’s all about building community and supporting the show’s long-running tradition.”
Toni shares Anne’s view about the importance of community involvement. “Agricultural shows are all about honing your craft and competing, but they’re also about building community,” Toni said. “When I was younger, I showed livestock and cattle, and now, it’s about giving back to the community. For stewards and committee members, it’s about helping the younger generation come through and continue these traditions.”
For Anne, the Yass show holds a special place in her heart. “The agricultural show is part of our tradition, and we’ve been running it on this site since 1991,” she said. “Preserving the show and its history is important to me. It’s about keeping the tradition alive for future generations, and I’m excited about what we have in store for this year.”
With a wide range of events and competitions, including the Dog High Jump, the Giant Pumpkin competition, and plenty of activities for the whole family, the Yass Show is set to be an unforgettable experience for everyone involved.
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