Maryborough Show - Sideshow Alley

 When I was a kid, this was the best part of the show. Who needs that other boring stuff.

My favourite ride.

The old favourites are still there.

I'm too old to enjoy something like this these days.

When I see these, I think of Tony Jones on Q&A (Aussie TV series)

This is about my limit for excitement now.

A new type of ride but they seemed to be speed limited to about 3 mph which is a bit tame. At least with the dodgems you can bang into other people.

I once took our daughter Robin to the Fair in Frederick MD and she asked to go on the Ferris wheel. I complied but had to hang on like grim death since I find them extremely scary. I could not look down and could only stare off to the Appalachian Mountains in the distance. Needless to say, I did not indulge this time.

Rides were typically about $8 to $10. I suspect they were about sixpence (5 cents) 60 years ago.

It all folds up into a semi-trailer load.

Shades of James Bond in Diamonds are Forever.

There is not enough money that would make me go on this.

Or this.

Or this.

Another ride that folds up. I suspect it is a very short ride.

These dodgems were faster than the other dodgems and there were more collisions.

Father and daughter from years ago.

Show bags started at about $20. Going to the Show with a tribe of kids would be an expensive outing these days.

We were glad we went but I probably won't go again next year unless I enter my fruitcake.

We left about 11:30 am and people were pouring in. The turnoff to the big parking lot is from the main north-south highway and the backup of cars was over a mile long.

Maryborough Show - animals and cars

 I suspect most kids enjoy the animals the most at the show, other than the amusement rides.

Next was the bird pavilion.

A slow-moving queue. This was easily the most popular pavilion.

Investigating one's navel.

Champion chook.

Then on to the old cars. Here is an old Holden which became Australia's most popular car brand. Designed locally for Australian conditions, it had a suspension that could stand up to rough country roads. I am pretty sure the yellow colour is not original.

This for our German friend, Christian.

Because of the relatively dry climate in much of Australia, older cars don't rust so there are plenty of them around.

Anne and Clare will recognize the name. The Heckers owned the local Holden francise.

Nobody would have been seen dead in an orange car back in the 50's.

Of course, there had to be some tractors.

Watching young kids ride horses is not riveting so we did not linger long at the oval area.

The grandstand with a suitably large overhang to protect from rain. Rain in this area can arrive suddenly and be a total downpour.

On to the cattle.

Cow cockies in typical pose.

Final judging.

These beasts are enormous.

Somebody has to touch up the white paint on this breed every day.

Marianne loves donkeys.

A very placid donkey. It let me rub its nose.

This was easily the biggest donkey.