A country show comes to town

The country show festival for 2018

The country comes to the city, or the city’s fringe, at least when the 2018 Camden Show comes alive.

Camden Show 2018 Flowers — The flower exhibits are in the Arts and Crafts section of the 2018 Camden Show. The exhibit was located in the 1890s Camden Show Pavilion and is an ever-popular part of the annual event. (I Willis)

The Camden Show is on again in 2018, and this year makes 132 years. The two-day event attracts around 30,000 visitors to the sleepy community of Camden on the Nepean River in what were the Cowpastures.

Camden Show 2018 Aerial BAtkin low res — An aerial view of the 2018 Camden Show shows the historic Camden town centre at the top of the image. Onslow Park, Camden Showground, was gifted to the Camden community by the Macarthur family of Camden Park in the early 20th century. (B Atkins)

The country festival has all the events you expect of a large regional show, from horses to pumpkins to cakes to produce.

Camden Show 2018 Produce — 2018 Camden Show Produce display (I Willis)

A more traditional sideshow alley exists for the Mums, Dads, and kids with the Dagwood Dogs and show bag row.

For those searching for the country flavour, that is the drovers camp, milking display, pig-racing and ever-popular rodeo.

Camden Show 2018 Rodeo BAtkins lowres — A rodeo is an ever-popular event at the 2018 Camden Show. Full of action and colour on Friday night. The cowboys proved that they were just as tough as the bulls. Have a great night. (B Atkins)

There are all the commercial stands you get at any country show, from the local tractor dealer to rainwater tanks and stock agents.

Not to be left out are all the community groups, from the scout’s rope construction to the CWA’s scones and cream.

Camden Show 2018 CWA — 2018 Camden Show CWA Stall (I Willis)

The local politicians want to shake your hands and get your vote.

There is a ute competition and dog championships with the general show exhibitions.

The show spills into the general town area with a shop window display and 2018 Camden Showgirl.

Camden Show 2018 Daryl Sidman Corrine Fulford IWillis — Two top local identities at the 2018 Camden Show. Daryl Sidman was a show steward for many years, a local businessman, and Corrine Fulford Miss Camden Showgirl 2018. They both posed for this photo in the entry of the 1890s Show Pavilion. (I Willis)

A crowd gathered in the main street for the bullock team, just like the old days when teamsters came up from the Burragorang Valley to Camden Railway Station.