Medieval sports, daredevil utes and the chance to spot the perfect scone - there was something for everyone at the 157th Dapto Show at the weekend.
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The talents of Dapto bakers, gardeners, knitters and artists were on display in the show pavilion. Trestle tables heaved with plates of bickies and scones, giant gourds and animal figures made from fruit and vegetables, while stunning artworks hung in a separate room.
Pavilion steward Mildred Anthony said she was impressed by the number and quality of children's entries.
"They're on school holidays but they've still entered," she said.
Kids giggled as they ran through the side show alley, popping balls into the mouths of the clowns in the hope of winning a prize, lining up for rides on the mini rollercoaster and answering the calls of vendors spruiking frozen drinks and ice-creams in the heat.
Throughout the day spectators sought shade in the grandstand to watch the horses jump and prance around the oval as riders competed for the top prizes.
Aiyana Levin, 19, travelled from Berrima to take part in some of the riding events and was especially pleased with how she had performed, but keen to enjoy some well-earned gozleme for lunch.
"I really enjoy coming to Dapto Show. They look after the horses well and it's always really well organised," she said.
Once the horse events were done for the day, the oval became a hub of activity, with the BlueScope WIN Illawarra Rural Challenge, displays from the 73rd Regiment of Foot in authentic 19th-century regalia and demonstrations by vehicles from Isuzu Team D-Max.
In the evening, there was a medieval-style jousting demonstration, complete with solid lances and steel coronels.
Rod Walker, who normally jousts but took on the role of herald on Sunday night, said people loved getting to see the sport in real life.
"People have seen jousting on TV and in the movies, and [here] they get to see it done for real. A lot of people still don't know it's out there, and I think they're often surprised that we actually hit each other," he said.
Naomi Alves, who has been living in Dapto since she was 11, was crowned Dapto Showgirl.
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