Sheep lead the way at Canning Show

OF all the displays and action from the weekend’s Canning Show, none better encapsulated the event’s true meaning than a meandering herd of sheep.

The small flock of seven were set loose from the main arena and wandered throughout the Showground, to the amusement of showgoers and stallholders alike.

They were, of course, under the watchful eye of a sheepdog and its handler, who in the true spirit of agricultural shows, demonstrated the rural craft of sheep handling to the city masses.

Close to 10,000 people – a crowd well up on last year – got along to the show on Friday evening or Saturday, with organisers pleased that people appeared to stay at the showground for a long time.

Performers of the human kind took the stage on Saturday for an old-fashioned variety talent show.

Young winner Jordan Anthony (12) won over the judges with his rendition of Flashlight and then later pleased the crowd for a second time by returning to the stage for an impromptu performance with his equally musically-gifted father.

Jordan beat 20 other singers, musicians, dancers and entertainers to walk away with the top prize of flights to Singapore and $500 spending money.

Hundreds of items were displayed in the exhibition halls – from the traditional award-winning flowers, baked cakes and sewing craft, to local schools children’s contributions and even Lego constructions.

Outside in the sunshine, free pony rides and an animal farm proved a hit with the children, while the fun of sideshow alley brought smiles all round.

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