GAWLER Show organisers are forging ahead with plans for this year’s big event, remaining hopeful COVID-19 will not force a cancellation for the second year in a row.

Show secretary Kate Cowell said they were forging ahead with organising the state’s biggest regional show for the weekend of August 28 and 29 – until they are directed otherwise by SA Health.

A COVID-19 management plan for the event, catering for up to 15,000 attendees at any one time, is with SA Health awaiting approval.

“We have been contacted by a few of our vendors just to find out what’s going on, and we’ve said to them we are still planning for things to happen on the 28th and 29th,” Ms Cowell said.

“But as we all know, things can change overnight in this whole COVID environment, so we just have to be prepared to pivot if we need to.”

Significant planning for this year’s Show, which is now just over a month away, has already been undertaken.

The two-day event is set to feature rides and amusements, animal exhibits, a grand parade, fireworks and a line-up of live entertainment.

A number of changes have already been made to help make the Show as COVID-safe as possible, such as an online-only ticketing system, and the introduction of designated areas or zones to aid crowd control.

At the time of going to print, the Show office has been closed to the public in line with current COVID-19 density restrictions.

However, organisers can still be reached by phone (8523 1477), email (info@gawlershow.org.au) and via the Gawler Show Facebook page.

Competition entries due in soon

THERE are just a few weeks left to submit entries for judging at this year’s Show.

Show administration assistant Tanya Veldkamp told The Bunyip organisers had been rapt with the number of entries they had already received.

“My kids have entered things before and they just love going to the Show to find what they’ve put in, and whether it’s been a winner or not, they just love it,” she said.

“I love that the competitions can involve whole families, or school groups too.”

There are more than two dozen competitions running as part of the 2021 Show, with people of all ages, but especially school students, encouraged to try their hand.

Returning are categories in produce, handicraft, animals, floriculture and photography, as well as school posters and scarecrow making.

Ms Veldkamp said there were also a couple of new categories, including literacy and gluten-free baking.

Amateur-winemaking is a reintroduced category and will feature live judging on the Show weekend.

All competition details and deadlines are on the Gawler Show website (gawlershow.org.au).