Organised by a committee of local volunteers, the Benalla Spring Show brings the community together each year for a weekend of competition, displays and entertainment.
Benalla Agricultural and Pastoral Society secretary Wendy Beer said the show's local significance became clear in recent years when the event could not go ahead.
“It becomes something that anchors the community a little bit,” Ms Beer said.
“When we didn't have it during COVID, and then we were flooded two days before the show in 2022, it really had an impact on the community’s psychology.
“Everyone was really quite down, and then, being able to run a show again, sort of lifted everyone’s spirits.”
This year’s show features competitions and displays spanning showjumping to sewing, cattle to cakes, and waterfowl to wool.
Highlights include the return of Dinkum Dinosaurs and their Dino-Larious Show and fossil museum, offering interactive entertainment for families, as well as an animal nursery with critters from RedLilly Mobile Farm and free face painting for children.
Also on the must-see list is a meet-the-author session with Liz Harfull, who wrote the New Blue Ribbon Cookbook, a display by the 8th Indi Lighthorse, and the community competition pavilions.
Ms Beer said her favourite moment came at the end of each show.
“It’s very satisfying when you can pull together an event and see the kids happy, and the parents happy because the kids are happy,” she said.
The annual Benalla Spring Show will be held on Friday, October 16, from 9am to 5pm, and Saturday, October 17, from 9am to 4.30pm.
Adult gate entry is $20, with free entry for children under 18 years.
Tickets can be pre-purchased online, with early bird prices available until 5pm Thursday, via tinyurl.com/yz3ej3uw
The show office is open Monday to Friday, 11am to 4pm, for membership and general inquiries.
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