Northern Tasmania’s agricultural show of 144 years is running as a cut-down version this year.

Royal Launceston Show chief executive Brian Bennett said the society may have cut the event from three days to one, but that one day was going to be packed full from 9am right through until after 9pm.

“We’ve actually tried to compact the three days into one,” he said.

“[Dropping to one day] allowed us to really reduce our overheads and still provide a typical agricultural show, which we hope the public want.”

The usual agricultural animal judging and junior handling competitions start from 9am, with beef cattle breeds Gelbvieh, Limousin, red and black angus, shorthorn and speckle park cattle up first.

Jersey, Guernsey and Holstein dairy cattle follow, with poll dorset, Hampshire down, dorper, southdown, romney and white suffolk sheep exhibited too.

Showgoers looking for entertainment will get their fill as soon as the show starts, with bands and shows on stage, roving throughout the show and in the animal nursery throughout the day.

“We’ve got a full program of entertainment right from nine in the morning until nine at night,” Mr Bennett said.

“The wood chopping starts early in the morning and concludes with a Hot Saw chainsaw racing competition at 7pm, and then the entertainment goes into the evening and concludes with fireworks so I think they’re going to get real good value for money on Thursday.”

Royal Launceston Show’s visitor book, which was signed by the Queen in 1981, along with show memorabilia from throughout its history, will be on display in the Cottage Industries pavilion.

Tickets for the show have been reduced to encourage more people through the gates, Mr Bennett said.

“We’ve slashed the prices to $10 for adults and $5 for children and I think that’s a real win for Launceston.”

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