Queensland country shows thwarted by COVID are back and breaking records

Country shows across Queensland are smashing attendance records, after COVID-19 forced the cancellation of most 2020 events.

The Warwick Show was one of the first to be cancelled due to the pandemic last year, devastating the Southern Downs community.

But spirits are high at this year’s event, which had drawn about 8,000 people as of Saturday night, with plenty more expected before gates close on Sunday afternoon.

“It’s good to get that community spirit back alive because there has been nothing on around the community for the last 12 months,” show president Shelley Doyle said.

Warwick’s is the 12th show to be held in Queensland so far this year — and each of them has broken at least one record, according to the peak body for…