It’s Show Time

As soon as we returned home from Baradine it was time to get into show mode.  Starting the day after we arrived home, I would be assisting with the set up and pull down, which went on for two weeks.

Firstly, we had to clean the pavilion and receive all the entries and sort them into their classes.  Although I was primarily stewarding in the Needlework section, it was all hands on deck to assist with the judging and display of other areas as well.

Here is the needlework, all ready for judging, which took place on the Monday of the ANZAC long weekend.  Being the public holiday, we had some extra helpers, which was greatly appreciated.  Doesn’t the area look bare.

Once the judging was over, it was time display everything.  That is quite a task.  

There was some lovely work on display.

I really loved the quilt that won best machine pieced.  Such intricate piecing.

Yes, that is my hexy quilt hanging on the wall.  Rather happy with that.

The feature display this year celebrated 100 years of the Edgells brand, which originated in Bathurst.

There was a special section in the cake decorating for the event.  Isn’t this clever.

Once the pavilion was all set up it was time to have a wander around.  The weather for the weekend was perfect, dry and quite warm for the time of year.  Let's have a wander.

Sideshow Alley is always so colourful.

We stayed until early evening to watch some ring events.  These motorcyclists were crazy.

After gates closed on the Sunday we pulled down the display, ready for the owners of the entries to collect them on the Monday.  Monday was another busy day and I think everyone involved slept well that night, satisfied that another show had run to plan. Oh, and the Monday was cold and wet.  How lucky were they for the weekend.

We already have the date for next year’s show, so it is in the diary. Next time it will be the week before Scrub Stitchin’, so fortunately doesn’t clash.

The Aftermath

So much for a tidyish sewing room.  This is the current state it is in.   Quite a bit of sorting and putting away is required.

Scrub Stitchin’ for 2026 has been and gone.  What a wonderful time we had. We were away for just over a week, arriving back home last Monday.  We unpacked the necessary things and all the washing is done, except for the van linens. As you can see, the ironing has not been done.

Having arrived home on Monday, I started helping set up the Bathurst Show on Tuesday.  When you just attend a show you have no concept of the amount of work involved behind the scenes.  I know I certainly didn’t until I put my hand up a couple of years ago.  Although my main section is the Needlework, everyone pitches in on most of the pavilion section to get it done.  We are well and truly on track.

We had the day off yesterday for Anzac Day, but it was an early start to attend the dawn service at 4.30am.   A lazy day was had after that.  A bit of progress on my corner to corner rug was made.  The only crafting I have done since we returned home.

It was back to the show this morning to assist with more judging, then this afternoon we removed the remainder of my sewing stuff out of the van.  It was rather mind blowing how much I had packed.

I noticed this gorgeous row of trees as we drove to Bunnings today to buy some red onion and leek seedlings.  It was the perfect autumn day.

They will be the only veges planted this year as we will be away when most veges will be needing some TLC next summer.  They are all netted to stop the birds from digging them up.

While we were in the garden, we noticed that the first feijoas have dropped, so enjoyed one each at lunch.  Yummo.  There aren’t a great many this year, but we will enjoy what we have.

Mick is having a lovely time this afternoon, supervising some corned silverside cooking in the  camp oven.

Tomorrow it is back to the show.  It is a big day, with the judging of the Needlework and getting it all displayed.  Being a public holiday has been a great bonus, as there will be quite a few more helpers.  With a bit of luck, I will then not have to go back in until Thursday afternoon for the final tidy up and check that everything is ready to go on Friday.

Hopefully, on Tuesday, I will get a chance to start loading posts about our wonderful week away at Baradine.