For Woodstock, the annual show is more than just an event, it’s a celebration of local spirit, volunteer effort, and the crowds who travel from near and far to be part of it.
Reflecting on last year’s show, Alison Rutledge said the real highlight was not a single attraction, but the overwhelming sense of support the community received.
“I think the biggest highlight every year for Woodstock is the community,” Ms Rutledge said.
“It’s the support we get from the local area and beyond, the people that come.
“That’s always what blows our mind, that people really love what we put forward and really appreciate the efforts we go to.
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“There’s a lot of energy and volunteer support that goes into this event, and I think that’s what makes it so special for our little town,” she said.
The success of the show, Ms Rutledge said, comes down to the dedication and competence of its volunteers.
Each area, whether it’s wood chopping, shearing, or the ring events, relies on local stewards who know their role inside out.
“We have an amazing team of people that pull it together,” Ms Rutledge said.
“The steward of each set, they’re all very competent volunteers that know that side out and just make it happen.
“Everyone is responsible for their space, and because we know that those people are so capable, all those little sections come together so well,” she said.
The weather is always a wildcard, but in recent years Woodstock has been lucky.
“We never know what the weather’s going to present, so you’ve just got to deal with what comes your way,” Ms Rutledge said.
“We’ve been very blessed for many years now to have sunny, beautiful days.
“We just hope the weather gods are on our side again.”
While the event runs smoothly, organisers continue to adapt based on feedback from previous years.
Ms Rutledge admitted that crowding, queues, and facilities have been areas where adjustments were made.
“We’ve taken on board lots over the years,” Ms Rutledge said.
“It used to be a little congested in spaces, so we changed our ground layout to try and combat that.
“We had feedback on the queues for food, so we brought in more food vendors.
“Years ago, we had issues with toilets, so we now bring in more portaloos to top us up,” she said.
Parking remains the show’s biggest ongoing challenge.
With increasing crowds and no kerb or guttering in the village, managing cars and community expectations has become a delicate balance.
“There are always parking issues,” Ms Rutledge said.
“That’s probably our biggest challenge at present, because we’re getting such a big crowd.
“People often park on what looks like people’s front lawns.
“Technically, it’s council land, but residents mow it and keep it tidy, so they don’t want cars bogging it up.
“So, if people are coming to the show, we ask that they consider the people who take care of the properties around the village when they’re parking,” she said.
Despite the challenges, Ms Rutledge said the joy of the show always comes back to seeing people gather, celebrate, and support one another.
The event is run by volunteers for the community, and the pride in making it happen outweighs the stresses of organising.
“It’s always a big blur when you look back because it’s such a big thing for our little town,” Ms Rutledge said.
“The highlight every year is always the people.
“That’s what makes it worth it,” she said.
