Milo the Clown with Dalgety showgoer Jane Glasson get into the spirit of the occasion.
TRUE to form the residents of Dalgety put on a great day at their annual show on Sunday - the only agricultural show in the Snowy River Shire.
In fact, the 69th Dalgety Show saw more than 2000 people flock to the small town on the banks of the Snowy River to see everything from sheep dog trials to the Tug-O-War in this traditional country event.
The pavilion was brought to life with a mass of colour from the stunning flower exhibits, paintings, vegies, jams and pickles and cakes. The boys enjoyed the homebrew competition while a highlight of the pavilion displays was the photography competition.
This year's photography judge, David Reid, came from Canberra to judge the competition. Having been the chief photographer for both the National Library of Australia and the University of Canberra, he was well suited to the role and hethought the photos on the whole were excellent.
"What people have done is incredible," he said.
The best photo in the show was by Miriam Gallard.
"The quality of imagery is excellent. This person has gone to a lot of trouble to photo both shadow and highlights, which is very difficult to get in one shot," he said.
One event that was surely missed was the showjumping as the recent heavy rains meant it and other horse events couldn't be held this year. But some kids' foot races, including the egg and spoon, and marrow (zucchini) racing kept the youngsters entertained in the centre of the showground while Milo the Clown kept the laughs and magic tricks coming.
The yard dog championships took centre stage outside the pavilion entertaining young and old throughout they day, while the woodchop saw the competitors working up a sweat in the warm temperatures.
The highlight of the day for many was meeting NRL star and Canberra Raider, Brett White, who officially opened the show.
"It is such an honour to be here," he said.
"Twenty four years ago I entered my own painting here at the show, and I feel so proud to be back and have my own kids here to enjoy it."
The all important Summit Sun Arthur Costello Memorial Tug-O-War, which saw $700 up for grabs
resulted in the Dalgety Desert Duellers pulling their way to top cash prize which they generously donated back to the show.
Brett White presented the award, named in honour of his grandfather, to team captain Phillip Clarke whose team mates were Alex Andrich, Robert Hain, Willie Crowe, Greg Alcock and Aaron Crowe.
The Snowy River Tyre Power Teams challenge, was won by the Jindabyne Bombers. The team of eight did their best in flag races and wool bale rolling to beat the Dalgety Dudes (second) and the Berridale White Tales (third).
Across the road in the Dalgety Memorial Hall it was a quieter occasion, but no less impressive. The quilting competition saw quilts displayed from some of the best quilters in Australia and out very own local talent. Best in show went to Holly Regan from Cooma.
The only agriculture show in the Snowy River Shire, this event owes much to the many hardworking committee members and volunteers of the Dalgety Shoe society and the very generous sponsors. The people of the shire thank them for their tireless work.