The 2023 Rockhampton Agricultural Show will mark a milestone 150 years of the event with something to entertain the whole family.
The Rockhampton Agricultural Show is back for 2023 marking a massive 150 year milestone.
Thousands of people are expected to pass through the gates of the Rockhampton Showgrounds for this year’s event, which is marking a milestone 150 years.
As well as the usual fun of rides, sideshow alley, showbags and exhibits, there will plenty of entertainment for the whole family.
This year, for the first time, Farmer Dave Graham and his Muttley Crew and Humphrey B Bear will entertain crowds at the show as well as the regular favourites including the Trackskill V8 Utes.
Mr Graham said at the end of the show one of the Muttley Crew dogs would be crowned their champion jumper for the event.
Through his company Rufftrack, Mr Graham helps disadvantaged kids by helping them get skills and apprenticeships to get them on an employment path.
He also teaches them respect, resilience and responsibility through looking after and training the dogs.
“The preparation that goes into this is years and years of training,” he said.
“The young lads I’ve got with me have done it really had, they’ve all come from disadvantaged backgrounds in Western Sydney and they’re making some massive changes in their lives with the dogs by their side.
“We take kids aged between 11 and 17 that have done it real tough, through no fault of their own they’ve come into contact with police very often, dealing with addictions or not attending school and out pathway is to get them on the career ladder giving them skills and apprenticeships and teaching them responsibility, respect and resilience with the dog.”
Rockhampton region Mayor Tony Williams said organisers were aiming to make this year’s show the biggest and best they’ve had.
“We’re really putting out all the stops to make sure it’s an entertaining experience for everyone to come along to,” he said.
“We’re really hopeful we’ll break the record (for attendance numbers), last year we had over 30,000 people come through the gates over the three days and this year we’re hoping to surpass that.”
Show committee chair Cr Ellen Smith said as well as rides and exhibits, there would be plenty of action in the centre ring with horse jumping and the grand parade.
“There’s so much happening this year,” she said.
“We have plenty of livestock, we’ve got a great line-up of commercial cattle this year and there’s over 200 head of stud cattle as well.
“We’ve got a big line up of horses here, we’ve got 120 stables and they’ve filled up really quickly, we have show jumpers from all over Australia coming here.”
The gates will open for the Rockhampton Show on Wednesday morning at 9am and will wrap up on Friday night.
For more information and to buy tickets visit the Rockhampton Agricultural Show website.