The 168th annual Kiama Show kicked off at Kiama Showground on Friday.

Friday’s schedule included horse judging, horse ring events and show jumping; Illawarra Cattle Show; Holstein, Jersey and beef cattle judging; Pavilion exhibitions; the always popular Pet Show and the announcement of the Kiama Showgirl competition winner. 

Despite rain setting in about 3.15pm, Kiama Show Society president Michael Brennan said the crowd was likely “normal for a Friday at the show”.

“There’s still people here; the Pet Show is on, so the kids have all turned up for the Pet Show.

“The show goes on; rain, hail or shine.”

The event continues on Saturday, with the schedule including the horse judging; Horse Ring Events and show jumping; woodchop; Shoalhaven Mini Horse Trotting; D-Max Isuzu Utes; FMX Motorbikes, Kiama Show Games and the fireworks finale. 

“We’ve got a full day’s showing on Saturday with the horses, show jumping and main attractions,” Mr Brennan said. “The Isuzu Utes are our main attraction, and the motorbikes.

“It’s been encouraging despite the rain… I’d like to thank everyone for their patience with the weather and hopefully we get a little bit of a better break than we’re having at the moment.” 

Australian precision driving outfit, ‘Team D-MAX’, will delight the masses by piloting their turbo diesel-powered utes at the show.

Lead driver Jack Monkhouse said it had been three years since their switch to Isuzu D-MAX’s, and a few years since they’d performed in Kiama. 

“It is such a picturesque arena and there is plenty of room for us to put on a great show,” he said. 

Team D-MAX travels throughout Australia and performs in front of large crowds each year at a variety of events, from agricultural shows and motorsport events to 4WD, caravan and camping shows. 

The performance routine typically includes a combination of close formation driving, high-speed drifts, slides and spins, handbrake turns, reverse flicks, cross-over manoeuvres, jumping vehicles over each other and even driving a D-MAX on two wheels.

The Kiama Showgirl competition 2016 winner was announced as Kiama’s Lucy Marsden.

The competition aims to find an ambassador for the area. The Kiama Showgirl progresses to represent Kiama at the Agricultural Societies Council Zone Final and potentially The Land Sydney Royal Showgirl Competition.