Scottsdale has added itself to the list of regions to enjoy show success in 2017, with the weekend’s event drawing a slightly larger crowd than last year.
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While the exact numbers for the 114th Scottsdale Show are yet to be confirmed, North Eastern Agricultural and Pastoral Society secretary, Maureen Gatenby, said there had been positive feedback across the board.
“The messages we are hearing is that it was a very enjoyable show,” she said.
“We had entertainment such as the Walter Whip fire show and the WSM freestyle motorbikes, which is difficult to find in other places.”
The positive public reaction is in stark contrast to that of this year’s Royal Launceston Show, which struggled to get people through the gate.
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In a survey conducted by The Examiner, only 13 out 250 show goers said the show met their expectations this year.
Furthermore, of the 422 answers to question of ‘What could the show do differently next year?’, the most popular suggestion was for it to close completely.
It is a fate that has already befallen the Devonport Show, which was not held this year as a result of financial issues.
At the other end of the scale, regional shows such as Longford and Westbury continue to prosper, despite being held for more than a century.
Mrs Gatenby said while there was no formula for the perfect show, the spectacle tends to be more pronounced in rural areas.
“There is so many other things to compete with in the bigger centres,” she said.
“Part of the problem is that you only have a certain amount of revenue you can spend on attractions, and keeping the entertainment fresh every year always comes at a cost.”