By DANIELLE GALVIN
Pakenham Show announces next year’s new look…
THE Pakenham Show will be a free carnival in 2014 with the support of Cardinia Shire Council.
Next year’s 103rd show will be held at the PB Ronald Reserve after an initial uncertain future for one of the state’s longest running shows following the sale of the Pakenham Racecourse.
President of the show society Geoff Young confirmed that the new home for the show for next year was the reserve.
“The 2014 show is alive and well and is going to be held at the PB Ronald Reserve with the Living Learning Centre, hall and all of the grounds associated with that,” he said.
“The biggest thing I can say is that it is going to be free – no fences and free to the public.
“Unlike the Yakkerboo festival, people will have to pay for the rides, but it will be more like a carnival.”
The show was previously held at the reserve before an understanding was reached with the racing club to use the racecourse.
“We want to acknowledge the racing club in the 50 years of support in supplying the grounds, supplying the helpers and without that we wouldn’t have been able to make the show,” Mr Young said.
“It’s a new era moving forward.”
The cattle section of the show will be scrapped following the decision to hold the 2014 show at the reserve which Mr Young said was “disappointing” but the only downside to the agreement.
Horses will remain a feature of the show, but will not be at the reserve due to restrictions.
“The horses will be moving away from the reserve and the place is yet to be decided,” he said.
“The show and the shire are working together and we have a great relationship with CEO Garry McQuillan.”
Mr Young encouraged young families to come along to the show next year and take advantage of the entertainment and events.
“We are hoping to hold a skating competition and looking at ways to engage with the public,” he said.
“It’s important to keep the show grassroots and keep up with modern times, too.
“We are also looking at holding cooking shows, photography and leggo too.”
Mr Young said it was a win for the community that the show remained both in Pakenham and the shire, particularly when the show society was faced with the possibility of holding it in Lang Lang or Berwick.
“We think that would have lost the identity of the show,” he said.
“The best option is for next year’s show to be at the PB Ronald Reserve.”
