Victoria’s agricultural shows are back after a year of COVID cancellations

The giant pumpkin competition, sideshow alley, the Country Women’s Association Devonshire tea and the woodchop are back, as Victoria’s first agricultural shows open their gates for the first time since COVID-19 restrictions were introduced about 12 months ago.

In Victoria over the Labour Day long weekend two country shows were run with record crowds, all with COVID-19 rules in place, to give regional towns a much needed boost after last year’s lockdowns and disruptions.

Across the country, agricultural shows were cancelled in 2020 — leaving regional towns without a major economic driver and an important social event.

‘Everybody had a ball’

About 800…