Launceston brothers Ethan Jaffray, 10, and Wyatt, 7, check out the giant pumpkins at yesterday's Exeter Show.
WHEN Launceston brothers Ethan Jaffray, 10, and Wyatt, 7, had a good look around the produce displays at yesterday's Exeter Show, they not only had trouble getter their heads around the variety of vegetables, they had trouble getting their arms around one of the giant pumpkins.
The fresh produce is a traditional part of the annual show, but secretary Sharon Hjort said that the show committee included many extra features to celebrate this year's centenary and that had paid off in patron numbers.
``There were more people here today than I've ever seen in my 18-year involvement with the show,'' Ms Hjort said.
``We had a lot more things happening this year than we've had before - things like Brian Fysh's bullock team, chaff cutting, blade shearing, draught horses and celebrity chef Fast Ed from Better Homes and Gardens.
``And then there was the historic apple display - the very first Exeter Show was all about the orchards in the area.
``We started planning for this show about 18 months ago, six months before we even had last year's, researching all the history of the early shows.''
A popular feature of the show for the past five years has been the Historical Machinery Club of Tasmania display of working and still machines from yesteryear.
Events co-ordinator Fred Harris said that there was always plenty of interest in the display.
``There's always a comment from people as they go past the old chainsaws and mowers about having owned `one of those','' Mr Harris said.
``We had a really good turn out of machines this year - we wanted to make sure the 100th show was something special.