The Woodstock Show is set to return bigger than ever this year, with organisers unveiling a line-up full of new attractions, traditional favourites, and community spirit.
Show secretary Alison Rutledge said visitors could expect a full day of entertainment designed for all ages, from whip-cracking champions to free camel rides and a brand-new young farmers’ challenge.
“We do have new attractions,” Ms Rutledge said.
“We’ve got a girl who’s the Australian ladies whip-cracking champion.
“She performed with us back in 2016 and again in 2019, and now she’s coming back.
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“She’ll do her shows during the day and afterwards run a whip-cracking clinic just for children.
“It’s completely free, she supplies the whips and the safety gear, and it’s a great opportunity for kids to learn something really unique,” she said.
Alongside the whip-cracking, this year’s program will feature a brand-new magician known as “The Pretty Amazing Jono,” who will perform three stage shows and roving magic throughout the grounds.
Free camel rides, introduced two years ago and popular with families, will also return after proving to be one of the standout attractions.
“We had camel rides two years ago and they were such a big hit,” Ms Rutledge said.
“We’ve got four camels coming this year, and they’ll be running all day long, free for whoever wants to line up.”
Another highlight will be the inaugural Young Farmers Challenge.
With nearly $2,500 in prize money on offer, the challenge will see teams of children and adults compete in farm-inspired relays, from rolling wool bales and stacking straw to branding and even finding lollipops in a bag of chaff.
“It should be a lot of fun,” Ms Rutledge said.
Of course, the Woodstock Show will also include all its usual crowd-pleasers: the vintage tractor pull, woodchopping, speed shearing, lamb judging for children, the popular pet show, and the bustling market laneway with 45 stalls.
Visitors can also expect a variety of food, with wood-fired pizza, Chinese, smoked meats, and community barbecues on offer.
A car, ute, and bike show will add to the mix, alongside traditional ring events with draft horses demonstrating ploughing and log snigging.
Ms Rutledge said the heart of the event remains affordability and accessibility, making it a true family day out.
“What we pride ourselves on is providing an affordable community family event,” she said.
“It’s a day where you can bring dad out for Father’s Day, there’s something to entertain him, something to keep mum entertained, and loads for the children.”
She added that the show continues to serve as a vital social occasion for locals.
“Particularly in the Woodstock area, if you’re a farmer and you’ve been on your farm most of the year, this is the opportunity to catch up with old friends over a cup of coffee in the pavilion," Ms Rutledge said.
“It’s about community connection, showcasing what our farmers produce, and showing what our community is capable of.”
This year’s show will also introduce an animal nursery run by volunteers, along with free children’s face painting.
Entry remains affordable: children under 15 are free, adults $10, and pensioners $5.
Members receive a discount on lunch in the luncheon pavilion, and all members, new and existing, will go into the draw for a family pass, to be drawn on show day.
Behind the scenes, community support continues to play a major role in keeping the event running smoothly.
A team of students from the University of Technology Sydney, known as The Big Lift, return each year to volunteer on the gates.
“They come out to Woodstock and run our gates for us, all day long, for nothing, and they do an amazing job,” Ms Rutledge said.
With a full program, strong volunteer support, and a renewed focus on creating affordable, family-friendly entertainment, the Woodstock Show is shaping up to be another memorable day for the village and its visitors.
“It’s just about community connection,” Ms Rutledge said.
“That’s what it’s always really been about, showcasing Woodstock, showing what our farmers produce, and connecting with other people.
“That’s the real heart of the show,” she said.
