Bridgetown Agricultural Show set for historic return

One of Bridgetown’s biggest community events is “back and stronger than ever” following a historic cancellation last year. The 132nd Bridgetown Agricultural Show will open its gates at the end of the month after it was cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The cancellation was just the second time the event had ever been cancelled in its history — the first was during WWII. Bridgetown Agricultural Society councillor Coleen Russell and new president Roger Gutteridge spoke with the Times in the lead-up to the show and said the committee was more than excited about the long-awaited comeback. Mrs Russell, who has been involved with the show for decades, recalled the sting of having to cancel last year’s event. “It really hurt, the big effort that we put in and then we couldn’t have the show, so we thought right we’ll have a big picnic for the day and bring everybody, then that got cancelled,” she said. “That was really deflating after the effort we’d put in.” Mr Gutteridge is in his first year as president after taking over from Ric Wheatley, who spent 13 years at the helm, and said the support around the return of the show had been phenomenal. “It’s got a real buzz about the place at the moment, the committee room when we’re all in there — everybody’s excited,” he said. “It’s maybe not trendy to be an agricultural show but I think everybody’s getting on board like they haven’t before. “We’re getting known a lot more than we were before in the community and so we’re hoping that young families will think it’s a great thing to go to and support. “Family and community is the theme for this year so that’s what we really want to stress, that this is a really great community here and people pull together and whatever problems we come across we’ll face it as a community.” Mrs Russell said the committee had been working hard behind the scenes to get everything ready. “Every year we try to bring new events and new exciting things and as much free stuff as we can that kids can get involved in,” she said. “Talison (Lithium) have come on board again this year with free entry for the kids.” The Bridgetown Showgrounds come to life with its much-loved competitions, attractions and entertainment on Saturday, November 27.