St Ives Show 2019
Don’t miss St Ives Show for all the one stop fun
St Ives show will be held on the weekend of May 18 & 19, 2019. This event is presented by the Northern Suburbs Agricultural and Horticultural Society showcasing the best in arts, crafts, horses, horticulture, beekeeping, photography, baking with lots of family fun for everyone.
Each year, this event has had cracking weather with blue skies and plenty of sunshine. I can say that this event oozes family fun, having attended many times in the past. There will be entertainment to keep the adults and kids dancing along, and kelpies herding sheep demonstrations.
Camel rides
There are plenty of amusement rides for the kids ($20 for 5 rides based on token ticket system). The problem will be to decide which ride to try first, of course. My kids have previously scrambled to get on the ferris wheel, jumping castles, boats on water, train ride, teacups, and pony rides, and these are just a few of the rides on offer.
Games for all
Visitors can expect performances on the main stage ranging from singing, dance numbers and bands. It’s the perfect way to appreciate the show and for old folk like myself to sit down and relax for a moment or two.
Food options range from the Turkish gozleme, slow cooked pulled pork burgers and hot chips. For the kids and adults alike there will be dessert stands of handmade baklava, snow cones, fairy floss and sugar rush liquorice.
At previous shows, the kids were mesmerised by the live reptile show with Neville Burns, who had brown snakes and tiger snakes slithering around. You’ll notice a crowd around his stage hanging onto his every word, listening to his stories of being bitten by snakes and being educated on how to best treat a snake bite. It’s informative and mesmerising, ticking all the boxes for me and the kids.
Black smiths work
If you feel like a seachange, get a feel for the farm life watching the working kelpies herd the sheep. There are also puppet performances and police operations where the kids can sit in the police cars and rescue helicopters and let their imaginations run wild.
The animal nursery is set up with so much to see, whether it is mice darting in and out of a loaf of bread, guinea pigs sleeping, baby chickens chirping, or cats roaming up a chimney-like structure. There is even an outdoor open enclosure with chickens, sheep, a turkey, pig, and calf, which I couldn’t tear my kids away from.
Animals galore
My all-time favourite event would be the wood chop event which will be held on Sunday. I’m constantly amazed at the precision and speed at which it all happens. Look out for the Underhand event, where the axemen stand on the log and cut between their legs and the Standing Block, which looks they are felling a tree.
Learn all about beekeeping and have a taste of the local honey. It was interesting to discover that, dependent on the seasons, and flowers in bloom and areas, the taste of honey varies from subtle to bold flavours. I always manage to buy a stash to keep me going to next year’s show (so if you are reading this, don’t forget to leave a few jars for me).
Raw local honey
There is also an assortment of stalls varying from women’s clothing, gloves and hats, animal hats, toys, French lotions, fair trade wallets and purses, belts and other knick-knacks; perfect to peruse for that upcoming birthday or belated Mother’s Day gift.
There will be plenty of activities for the kids. Previous years included painting an umbrella ($10) which allows for your child to paint their umbrella in a mirage of colours and you can pick up your decorated umbrella after it has dried and you have finished your day at the show. Or perhaps peruse the nursery for that vegetable patch at home.
I recommend The Show for a relaxed fun day as it’s not too crowded, the kids are amused and parents are catered for and take in the fun-filled atmosphere.
There are ample picnic areas to chill out, just don’t forget a picnic rug and enjoy the sunshine.
How to get there
You’ll find free parking at the ground. The entry price to the show is $5.00 each for children and seniors/adults. Children 5yrs and under can enter FREE of charge.
Forest Coach Lines has two bus services available – routes 196 and 197. Both routes connect with Gordon train station.
Facilities
Plenty of toilets, accessible toilets and baby change facilities also available