Chapman Valley Agricultural Society’s 74th annual show jam-packed with entertainment and competitions

Agriculture, livestock and produce was abundant at the Chapman Valley Show at the weekend, with more than 7000 through the gate this year to celebrate the best of rural WA. It was an unforgettable family day out in the Valley on Saturday, with something for everyone on offer. Kids went wild in the free entertainment zone, with the Old McDonald’s petting zoo, face painting, bouncy castles and Roving Mad circus performers matching their energy. Adults mustered up in the shearing shed and the race was on to win prize money. Others checked out the agriculture pavilions featuring sheep, wool, poultry and grain and fodder. Plenty of vintage tractors, cars and farm machinery were on display, with young ones given the opportunity to sit in a tractor for the first time. And not forgetting horse jumping events with Chapman Valley Western Riding Club Inc and the newly introduced FarmVR experience to give an insight into how food makes its way from the paddock to plate. CVAS president Darrell Forth said up to 7000 visited the showgrounds to enjoy a day of agriculture. This was despite Chapman Valley playing Northampton in Geraldton in a qualifying final on the same day. “If you can measure success by a full car park, good weather, the stall vendors are happy and the crowd are enjoying themselves, then it was a great day,” he said. “More highlights were the WA Museum Cameleer display, $30,000 in free entertainment for kids and adults alike and a virtual reality agriculture section. The sideshow alley was packed and the acts on the stage kept the crowd entertained. By 1pm the car park was nearly at capacity.” “The tractor-pull and the vintage cars were a huge attraction, the shearing competition, as always, drew a large crowd. Reports from food and stall vendors said they were happy and most sold out or had really good attendances for the day. “The crowd had plenty of room to move and apart from some queues for food and the sideshow, the flow was good. “The show would not be the success it is without the dedication of the organising committee, the judges, stewards and the volunteers on the day.”