Postcards and Morsels 2013 Royal Canberra Show

Sideshow Alley is a kaleidoscope of colour, noise and life

While having agriculture at its core, the Royal Canberra Show has broadened over the years to reflect more entertainment, educational features and exhibitions, ensuring that there is a vibrant mix of "city meeting country" and "country meeting city".
                                  - Royal National Capital Agricultural Society (RNCAS) description of the Royal Canberra Show.

Despite the clouds and threat of a thorough downpour, Peter and I put on our walking boots this morning and spent four or so enjoyable hours at the Royal Canberra Show. I've been scratching my head trying to remember the last time I'd been to the Show, but I do have very fond memories of attending with my parents and older siblings, as well as taking my own children along when they were small. Such fun!

There's much to see and do (and good things to eat too!). Had our feet not been on fire, I think we might have stayed on into the night. We made a beeline for the exhibition halls and the horticultural displays, as I had keen interest to see the baked and preserved goods, as well as the home grown produce that had taken out prizes. We agreed that next year we should enter some fruit or vegetables from our own kitchen garden! It was great to see that our beekeeper friends from Honey Delight took out prizes again this year. Congratulations Carmen, Todd and family, well deserved!

Next it was time for the city folk to mingle among the cattle, sheep, piglets and other farm animals. Taking care not to step on ripe cow pats among the straw, I took the opportunity to get up close and personal with some cattle. I can't explain why, but I really have a thing for patting cows. Boy, there were some beauties on show.

Finally, we treated ourselves to the kaleidoscope of colour, noise and life in Sideshow Alley. Peter won me a little stuffed tiger on one of the shooting galleries. He took out four out of four targets, while I only managed two (not bad, methinks!). Despite the more modern activities on offer in Sideshow Alley (such as trampolines and rock climbing), I'm happy to report that there's still a good, old fashioned atmosphere, with the lively show personalities, loud music and sound of muffled voices over microphones beckoning visitors to 'step up and have a go!'.

The Royal National Capital Agricultural Society (RNCAS) has promoted agricultural shows in the ACT and regions for 80 years

'Animals on Show'...

Fluffy babies, dog fun, woodchop, alpaca, merino, feeding time, country fashion, Red the cattle dog, Angus cattle, rainbow sheep, piglets

Loved the 'Red Cattle Dog' made from rusted iron by Kim Gibbs of All Things Art (above, bottom left corner).

'Harvest Hall'...

Vintage cookware; fresh produce; award winning bread, honey, scones, sponge cakes and home grown fruit, vegetables and flowers.

Hmm, Harvest Hall has Peter and I thinking that we might just enter some home grown produce next year!

We bumped into beekeeper friends, Carmen and Todd from Honey Delight, and enjoyed samples of our friend Pepe Saya's butter

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Tell me about agricultural shows in your part of the world. What are your favourite aspects of the show?