Two great days out in the heart of the Derwent Valley

AFTER months of hard work, the volunteer committees of the Bushy Park Show and Hamilton Agricultural Show are hoping for big crowds to enjoy these two events in the heart of the Derwent Valley.

• Bushy Park Show: 9am-4pm on Saturday, February 18.
• Hamilton Show: 8am-4pm on Saturday, March 4.

The program at the Bushy Park Showground this Saturday will include animal events and displays, woodchopping, food and beverages, trade and information sites, entertainment and homecrafts. Chainsaw sculptor Eddie Freeman will be in action all day and there will be a silent auction of his carvings. There will be also be displays of live snakes and beekeeping, and plenty of action with the woodchopping and chainsaw racing.

Musician and entertainer Bernie Bruce will be performing live, and the ever-popular Sands Family Circus will return. The Lions Club of New Norfolk will be there with its chocolate wheel for the first time in a while. Showbags will also be available and teas will be served by the Country Women’s Association.

Bushy Park Show is on from 9am to 4pm at the showground, Gordon River Rd, Bushy Park. See the website at bushyparkshow.com.au for programs and schedules. Entry will cost $7 for adults and $3 for children over five years.

All attention will be on the Hamilton Showground in two weeks’ time, for the 70th Hamilton Agricultural Show on March 4. The gates will be open from 8am to 4pm and the event will be officially opened by the Governor of Tasmania at 10am.

The long list of entertainment and attractions includes live music, sideshow games, showbags, food stalls, vintage cars and machinery, animal nursery, fire brigade demonstrations and more. There will also be displays of art, craft and photography, a junior speed sheep shave, running races and novelty events, as well as equestrian events, the woold room, campdrafting, dog high jump, clay target shooting, shearing and woolhandling. The popular ute competition and working yard dogs will also be there again.

Tickets will be available at the gate at the showground, Lyell Hwy, Hamilton, but patrons are encouraged to buy tickets in advance at hamiltonshowtasmania.com. Entry is $20 per family or $10 for adults and $5 for children.

Find both shows on Facebook for more information or look up their websites.