Local visitor calls in.
Impressions
of a Country Show.
Flying flags activate the air among the pine and popular trees,
while the green valley stage prepares itself for prancing hoofs. Grey hacks
flick adorned manes and tails to gain the crowds’ attention. One striking black beauty pored the turf in a
welcome gesture to the Huon Valley Annual Show. The Clydesdales always a
favourite arrived to full fanfare, their leather studded collars gleaming in
the overcast light while coloured ribbons enlivened their dancing tails.
Draught horse ploughing was still important in this part of the country, were
people take great delight in their skill.
Prancing among the streaming crowd, horses of every hue
pranced trot with pricked ears, their riders coolly sitting upon their mounts
with matching tops and caps while waving to friends and strangers alike. A
scene of animation greets the eye, blacksmiths at the forge, hawkers of every
sort baying to attract attention to their wears, while the children’s train
completes its fifteen minute journey around the ring.
Cloudy, with the red and black pompoms will be hard to beat,
as he folds off one straight furrow after another, a few grazing horses on a
nearby hill amble across to gain a better view nodding their heads in approval
over the fence. The scene was set for an entertaining afternoon. I have often
wondered why people year after year drive out to country towns across Australia
for this annual renewal with their pioneering past. The children gaze with
longing eyes at small tan puppies playing in their pen while waiting to be
claimed.
“Mummy why can’t I have one” they cry.
“Jane, I have told you a hundred times, no.” comes the reply.
Older children are more intent on trying out their skill at
the shooting booth where tin rabbits dance upon a stage, while others explore
numerous sideshow attractions. However, livestock sheds claim the greatest
attraction as people crowd around three little pigs busily digging among the
straw for traces of lost food. Delilah, an angora goat gazes across at them
with considerable distain from her nearby pen, a bored look etched across her
face. Another popular attraction appears to be the multi coloured rabbits
playing in the next door pen, much to the children’s’ delight. A Netherland
Dwarf appears to be the winner here, as a serious possie of judges exchange
their notes and start pining ribbons on anyone who stands still long enough.
Blackface sheep heads turn as though one, to observe the
judges critical eyes taking notes, their attentive look appears to be one of
disgust. Nearby, the Country Women’s Association stall demonstrate the art of spinning
and weaving wool, heavy loaded tables
stand near by ready to dispatch an array
of high cholesterol laden cakes to the waiting crowd. Music was supplied from
the poultry shed were roosters of assorted size and colour complete with bag
pipe players turning up their instruments for the Grand parade. Charlie, the
Herford bull peacefully slept through the concert, while a white faced Angus cow
quietly stands and chews her cud. Running in and out of this chaotic scene
country boys carried buckets of water for their charges, while their sisters
combed manes and brushed silky coats.
Dogs barked, roosters crowed, children shouted demands at
harassed parents demanding more fairy floss and ice cream when the loud speaker
announced the beginning of the parade. Last minute hamburgers needed to be
purchased, donuts sales moved into top gear. Cloudy was grand champion
draughthorse for another year. The central arena started to fill as every
animal known to man took their place. Children clutching dolls were lifted onto
father’s shoulders, while others crawled between crowded legs to obtain front
row views. Sleeping livestock attendants woke from their afternoon slumber as
the ambulance completed one more round between batman masked children.
The horses on the hill returned for one last look, the tug of
war had been won, people clutching their steak sandwiches shouted greetings to
one another. Bare legged pipers lead the parade, by now the oval was
full of cattle, horses, sheep and every conceivable animal imaginable, their
owners walking one step behind towards the exist. White, brown, grey, coloured
animals contrasted with the coloured balloons, bright coloured cloths and
movement in the middle of the arena turned into a mass of madness all moving in
different direction. The crowd smiled between their mouthfuls of food, and as
they disappeared out the gate to the oblivion for another year to the strain of
Bonny Prince Charlie.
Waiting their turn.
One of the favourites.
Nursery.
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