Harvey Agricultural Show to return to Harvey Recreation Ground for 101st show after long four-year wait

1452 days. That is how long it has been since crowds packed the Harvey Recreation Ground on April 27, 2019 for the 100th Harvey Agricultural Show. What was only supposed to be a usual year-long break became a longer-than planned hiatus when a global pandemic struck, which impacted the ability for the show to be held safely for three years. But the wait is nearly over. Tuesday marks 10 days until the 101st hosting of the popular community event takes place. Harvey Agricultural Society president Dom Fazzolari described the return of the show as “awesome”. “I think the community is very happy for it to be back,” he said. “There is a lot of excitement and as it is getting closer, we are getting and more inquiries about it.” With such a big gap between shows, there are some changes in the air. For the first time since 2017, the show will be held over two days: on the night of April 28 and all day April 29. The Friday evening show starts at 5.30pm and includes performances by rock cover band The Wizards from 6pm and the Alcoa Fireworks at 8.30pm. The entertainment on Saturday will include traditional agricultural entertainment such as livestock judging, show jumping and log chopping contests. For families, there will be the sideshow alley, face painting, action heroes show, stilt walkers, pony rides and plenty of showbags. There will be a dedicated children’s area within the show, which will include a playground and mini diggers. Freestyle motorcycle performances and helicopter rides are some of the other entertainment on offer. In line with the increasingly digital world, this year’s ticket sales will be predominately online. The public is asked to buy tickets before the show, with only one entry gate available this year for admission by card-only. Asked how the show continues its success after more than a century of history, Mr Fazzolari said it was due to it being community minded. “In my eyes, it is a true agricultural show because we do display a lot of livestock and farm machinery,” he said. “It is a little smaller than the shows around us, which makes it a bit more intimate, and it is 100 per cent run by volunteers.” A pop-up stall will be held on April 22 outside Parton’s IGA for those who have any questions about this year’s show. For more information visit harveyshow.com.au.