By Jessica Anstice
The Lang Lang Pastoral Agricultural and Horticultural Society have staged a highly successful agricultural show the past few weeks, despite having to follow strict Covid-19 requirements.
Now in its 120th year, the annual event saw a record number of exhibitors, in categories including sheep, cattle, poultry, equestrian and dogs.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the event was unable to welcome spectators this year and all involved were required to check in via a website upon arrival.
Society secretary Debra Lovett said she couldn’t have been happier with the outcome of the show.
“With all other agricultural shows in the area making the decision to cancel this year, our committee decided to give it a go and go ahead and we’re really glad we did,” she said.
“We saw a record number of sponsors from the local township – the support we’ve gotten was phenomenal especially given we’ve just come out of a tricky year. If we didn’t have sponsors, the show wouldn’t have gone ahead.
“I think people were just keen to get out and about because it was the first agricultural show in about 12 months because Korumburra, Foster and local surrounding ones near Lang Lang all cancelled.”
Ms Lovett said the committee is still receiving positive feedback from the local and broader community.
Ideal weather conditions on Saturday 9 and Saturday 16 January attracted exhibitors from near and far, including from Wangaratta, Hanging Rock and Shepparton.
More than 660 entries were received in the dog section, while horse entries were the highest yet with 1095 online sign-ups over two days.
There were more than 100 sheep entries and 30 poultry.
In order to stay Covid-safe, the committee was unable to host the traditional pavilion exhibitions like arts and crafts, photography and baked goods.
“The support we got in the horse area was just amazing and same with the dogs – we saw a record number of dog entries which was fantastic,” she added.
Reflecting on the highlights of the show, Ms Lovett said one of the biggest was when a gentleman said he should have bought two yachts instead of a pony for his three-year-old daughter.
“He said he would have been richer,” she laughed.
“The wind took a turn on day two and one of the groundsmen went out and tied the marques to his truck which was funny to watch.
“Another highlight was the fact the first aid people weren’t busy.”
In terms of next year’s show, the committee has already put pen to paper and plans on creating an event that will be bigger and better than ever before.
“We’re already planning for 2022. It will be over two days on the third weekend of January,” she said.
“We’ll be going all out with fashions on the field. We also want to increase participation from the local schools by getting some younger kids involved by coming with their chickens, eggs and overall getting their interest up in everything to do with animals.”
“We also want to extend some sections and take on some things other agricultural shows have that we don’t.”
The show will come to an end on Saturday 23 January, with the Port Phillip Show Jumping Competition to take place at the Lang Lang Showgrounds.
