WARM weather and new entertainment helped draw people to the Merredin show on Saturday, April 12.
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“In fact the weather might have been a bit too warm for the cakes and cake decorating,” show coordinator Debbie Morris said.
The three new show items this year, the Scitech science display, the Sailor Girls acrobats and performers and the Skateboarding Australia demonstrations and workshops added interest for young and old, Mrs Morris said.
The usual attractions, like the go karts, sideshow alley, Tumbler ride and the spectacular fireworks finale, were also all still there.
Central Wheatbelt MP Mia Davies and federal Durack MP Melissa Price were called on to present prizes and draw raffle winners.
The $10,000 first prize in the raffle was won by Pat Italiano from Perth, the uncle of Merredin and District Agricultural Society show committee member Kelly Manning who sold him the ticket.
However, the remaining prize winners were local people.
The $3000 second prize was won by Jasmin Cockram, $2000 second prize by Rob Newton and $1000 fourth prize by Sheila Mottershead.
Show day started at 9.30am with the float parade to the showground.
Barrack Street and Bates Street were closed to traffic to allow some weird and wonderful unregistered vehicles, such as a motorised bed, dining table and lounge chair, and home-built cars and vintage tractors to take part.
There was even a mobile wood-turning demonstration on the back of a truck.
However, the parade also caused the only problem on the day.
The drivers of two of vehicles in the parade did ‘burnouts’ in front of the crowd which police consider dangerous behaviour given the potential for disaster if they had lost control.
Police are investigating the incidents and charges may be laid.
Mrs Morris said she was “disappointed” with the burnouts in the parade.
“We need the approval of the police and the council each year to get a permit to close the streets for the parade.
“Upsetting people does not make it any easier for us to get a permit next year,” she said.
Show results:
Float parade winners
1st Community, $250: Merredin Men’s Shed. Runner-up, $150: Merredin Playgroup.
Individual, $50: Craig Powell.
Business, $50: Newton’s Home Furnishings
Colouring competition
Kindy-pre-primary: 1s, $25, Darrius Sutherland (St Mary’s); 2nd, $15, Xander Boehme (Merredin College); 3rd, $10, Spencer Saunders (Merredin College).
Years 1-3: 1st, $25, Kelsey (St Mary’s); 2nd, $15, Cassandra Cervantes (St Mary’s); 3rd, $10, Ted (St Mary’s).
Years 4-7: 1st, $25, Layla Tomljanovich (St Mary’s); 2nd, $15, Kate Garlett (Merredin College); 3rd, $10, Suzi Doncon (Merredin College).