An exhibition opening at Orange Regional Museum on Saturday 13 May, Ribbons, Rides & Ring Events: Agricultural Shows in the Central West, explores the history of agricultural shows across our region and shares some of the stories that have made them such an enduring favourite.
Orange City Council's Services Policy Committee Chair, Cr Mel McDonell, said the exhibition highlighted our region's strong tradition of agricultural shows.
"There are lots of fascinating photographs from more than a century of shows across our region and, with a dedicated kids' play space, there are plenty of activities for young ones and the young-at-heart to play, explore and discover," Cr McDonell said.
SHOWTIME: The Western Districts Display, Sydney Royal Show, 1934. Photo: Sam Hood (Image courtesy State Library of NSW)
Features of the exhibition include the oldest medal in the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW Heritage Collection, a selection of showbags dating from the 1950s to the early 2000s, and a century-old carousel horse that was used at the Orange Show.
The exhibition has been produced by Orange Regional Museum and curated by Museum Manager, Dr Mary-Elizabeth Andrews, with exhibition structures built by the Orange Men's Shed and photographs sourced from local show societies, historical societies and state and national collections.
Ribbons, Rides & Ring Events: Agricultural Shows in the Central West will be open from Saturday 13 May to Sunday 15 October 2023.
The Museum is open from 9am to 4pm every day, and entry is free.
Members of the community are invited to come along to the exhibition opening from 6pm on Friday 12 May to enjoy a first look at the exhibition. Refreshments will be provided.
People interested in finding out more about the exhibition can attend a floor talk with Orange Regional Museum Manager, Dr Mary-Elizabeth Andrews, as part of Curator Conversations at 11am on Saturday 20 May.
The exhibition opening and Curator Conversations are free to attend, however, spots are limited, so people wishing to attend should book at eventbrite.
