Despite the challenges involved, the Kiama Show Society Committee are busy putting the final touches to a revamped one day Show for Saturday 23 January.

With the financial impacts and uncertainty of COVID-19 to contend with, and the safety of spectators, competitors and volunteers a priority, the Kiama Show will necessarily look a little different in 2021.

“Reducing the Show to one day has meant some competitions have been adjusted, but the woodchop, showjumping, cattle judging, and the Pavilion exhibits will all proceed,” says the Society’s Secretary Jen Hampshire.

“There are to be some significant changes in the Pavilion to ensure COVID safety, including only using the top level of the building.”

Most sections have had some classes removed for 2021, with the plan to restore the omitted classes to the Schedule in 2022.

The junior categories remain largely unchanged, however the senior art and photography, and cookery sections have been reduced due to space constraints.

“Pavilion stewards are expecting an increase in exhibits in the novice classes, as a result of people taking up new hobbies during lockdowns earlier this year,” says Jen.

“We just had to add a new class, sourdough bread, to the cookery section as a nod to its popularity as a COVID activity.”

Entry fees for the Pavilion classes have been waived for 2021 and much of the prizemoney for individual classes has been removed.

“We will, of course, still be giving out certificates to mark the win in this our 173rd Show,” she says.

There will also changed entry time frames this year, to limit the number of people arriving at the Pavilion with their entries at the one time.

As a cost cutting measure, the Schedule will not be printed this year, but will be online at www.kiamashow.com.au soon.

As a long time sponsor of the Show, The Bugle will be including an entry form and more detail in our 6 January issue and on The Bugle App.