There wasn’t a spare seat in the stands as the demolition derby brought the 2018 Bega Show to a raucous and entertaining close.
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Bega AP&H Society president David Grainger was an exhausted but ecstatic man on Monday following three days and nights on non-stop activity at the Bega Showground.
“I was looking along the stands and it was jam packed, so that was a great note to end the show on,” he said of Sunday night’s action.
As well as the demolition derby, he said other highlights were the animal nursery and pet competitions, fruit and vegetable entries in the pavilion...and the return of Brett Rogers’s emus.
“Our entertainment manager Brett Rogers brought back his emu costumes this year,” Mr Grainger said.
“Twenty years ago he would dress up as an emu and his daughters would follow him around in small emu costumes.
“Now his grandson Jackson has grown into the little emu costume, so he stepped into the role.”
Mr Grainger said the pet show drew a big crowd, “with lots of cats, dogs, lizards, llamas...any kind of pet”.
“They gave all sorts of awards in that competition – including the loudest pet award, which went to a little piglet with an impressive set of lungs.”
However, it was behind the bar where the real standout moment occurred.
“I think the standout moment from the Bega Show was the handover of the bar from Noel Watson to Chris Apps,” Mr Grainger said.
“I was up at the bar with friends and family at the time, but I am told lots of people in the stands also stopped what they were doing to raise a toast to Noel.
“Noel has managed the bar for 45 years, so he’s got a long history with the show. It was a special moment, Bega saluted him that afternoon.”
Also saluted for a lifetime dedication to the community was Margaret Sirl, who was a special guest of honour at Friday night’s official opening.
Opening night also saw the return of a grand parade, making a welcome comeback after around 15 years.
“The show is an amazing celebration of our rich community, not in terms of money but in terms of variety and spirit,” Mr Grainger said.
“It was all smooth sailing, a fantastic show.”