2016 Cloncurry and Districts Show
Over the second weekend in June each year, the Cloncurry and Districts Show is held at the Showgrounds. The usual exhibits are all there - photography, handicraft, cooking, garden and art. As well as an Animal Exhibit including Cattle, Pets and Birds (chickens, doves and a variety of budgies and parrots)
For some added excitement, on the Saturday night, there is a good old fashioned, and crowd favourite; "Demolition Derby". This entails a variety of old rusty bomb's (car's) that have been very badly decorated, but are still in some sort of working order, to pretty much 'smash' into each other - until there is only one car left! Yes - that's right - all the driver's try and deliberately smash into each other. That having been said, it is done in a manner that there is no harm done to any of the driver's - but the bigger the smash, the more beat up the cars and the more smoke that piles from each car - the more the crowd cheers on the drivers!!
To help close off the Show - there is FIREWORKS!! Another crowd pleaser! Sponsored by Glencore's Ernest Henry Mine, these fireworks are amazing - the best part is, it is all set up on the arena (and for someone like me who has always wondered just what the fireworks look like for a big display like this) a very short distance where the crowd are seated.
This year to help everyone unwind, Country Music Star Mick Lindsay played live to keep everyone partying.
I can highly recommend the Cloncurry Show to anyone who is in the region early June - it really is worth timing your visit to come along and support a great event.
Petting Zoo for all the Young at Heart.
This Petting Zoo had llama's, sheep, geese, ducklings, baby chicks, guinea pigs, piglets, a calf, ponies, goats & kids all for the young and old to hold and pat. It was perhaps my kids favourite part of the Show.
The Racing Piglets
These athlete piggies race around a track to delight of the crowd. People in the crowd are asked to help name each piglet for each race. If the piglet you named wins - you get a prize! How cool is that?!
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| Coming through the first gate - who do you think will win? |
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| Winner Winner! No, really - that was his name and that was his game! The Gold Piggie was named Winner Winner by someone in the crowd - and that is just what he did! WIN! |
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| All the other little piggies are trying to work out how to get their snout in the bowl |
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| A visit to any Regional Show is not complete without the R. M, Williams Western Star Truck |
Ringer's Rally
I tried to find something 'official' on just what the Ringer's Rally is. I couldn't - it would seem it is one of those quintessential Outback Queensland activities that you will only see at a limited number of towns - and as luck would have it - Cloncurry is one of those towns! There are a variety of heats, and then a final for individuals. There is also a Team event - which is played out much like a relay.
Anyone can get involved - but be warned - it is not as easy as it looks!
Most of the individual competitors will also compete in the Team event. I am not too sure what the prize is - but - I know I enjoyed the event from the grandstand alot more than some of the competitors did!
What happens in a Ringer's Rally? Follow the photos below - it should give you a good idea.
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| First up - Breakfast is prepared. Baked Beans on Weetbix with warm milk! nom nom nom!! |
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| First step: Ringer's must have their boots off, and be 'sleeping' in their swag |
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| Seems the naughty Station Cattle Dog got busy with the Ringer's boots during 'the night'! |
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| On the word "GO!" Ringers must jump up, roll up their swag, put their boots on and wash their face (from bucket of water next to their swag) |
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| Then, it's breakfast time! Eat as fast as you can - no prizes for coming last! |
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| Once breakfast is eaten - (or in some cases it was not eaten well and made a reappearance later on in the race!), then bolt to jump the fence |
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| Jump the fence and mount your unsaddled horse. To make this part interesting, all these horses are broken in - however, most have not been ridden for some years!! |
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| Once mounted - go as fast as you can to round the marker and return |
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| Some find it hard to stay on these flighty steeds! |
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| If your steed is not the least bit interested in being ridden - then RUN!! As fast as you can! |
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| Then - put up the fence. Five Star Pickets - each banged in 10 times; NOT 8 or 9 - but 10! |
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| It really is hard work! |
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| Once the fence is up - the hay needs to be stored away securely. Roll the bales into the fence/shed ..... |
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| ....... and secure the gate with a pin |
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| Then it's time for warm beer; but remember, this is a race - drink it as fast as you can! The first one to tip the empty can on their head is the WINNER!! |
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| WINNER!! |
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Woops! Here comes breakfast again!!
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| This is the Team Rally. Each team is made up of 4 members, one will do breakfast, and tag the next team member...... |
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| .... who will ride the unsteady steed...... and then they will hand over to the "Fencers" |
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| The "Fencers" will put in the 5 star pickets and tag in the "Hay Rollers" |
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| Once the Hay Rollers are done - they will join the rest of the team for a Refreshing Warm Beer! |
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| The first team to have all 4 members skull their beer - are the WINNING TEAM |
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| Drink Jug-a-lug, Drink Jug-a-lug!! |
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| WINNERS!! |
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| The Eljay Freestyle Show. Freestyle motorcycle and bicycle act. |
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| Fire & Hoop Twirlers |
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| Wombat from the Lumberjack Show - up very very high!! |
Cloncurry Show Demolition Derby
This motorsport is usually seen at country town Shows or festivals. There is really only one rule. Be the last car still running! The competition consists of drivers deliberately ramming their vehicles into one another. The louder the 'crunch' - the more excited the crowd will be.
While it looks dangerous (and in all seriousness - it is ) these guys are not trying to hurt each other, but rather destroy the cars, if not a competitors, then at the very least their own!
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| CRUNCH! |
F I R E W O R K S to finish the night.
Sponsored by Glencore's Ernest Henry Mine, these fireworks kept us all entertained for around 10-15minutes!
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| This image is a composite of around 10 individual images. Using photoshop, I stacked each image over the next, to show an 'overall' image for the night. |
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