Every year Max Webb offers up a nod of thanks to the forward thinkers who changed Walbundrie’s show date to the Monday of the October long weekend.
The Walbundrie Show Society president of 20 years said securing that day had played a large part in the success of the show, which normally attracts between 6000 and 7000 people each year.
“One of the reasons I think we do attract such large numbers through the gate is we get a lot of families who come out from Albury-Wodonga because it’s on the Monday,” he said.
There are other factors that contribute to the show’s popularity, according to Mr Webb.
“In many ways not a lot has changed – we are still a traditional country show,” he said.
“We try to keep the prices down and the quality of the food high to keep it both affordable and appealing to families.”
Mr Webb said retaining feature events like the shearing (although not this year due to wet sheep) was a major drawcard.
At the same time, he said, show organisers had recognised the need to incorporate more market stalls and additions such as coffee vans.
“But in the end what has kept us in good stead is the quality of the oval surface and the people who made the decision to change the show date to the Monday,” Mr Webb said.
“They should be given a medal.”
