The fireworks and demolition derby are usually the stars of the show at the Albion Park Show.
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But, it was a marriage proposal which took centre stage at the 130th edition of the ‘The Biggest Little Show on the Coast’.
In front of unsuspecting show-goers on Saturday night, Christian Palk sang Jagged Edge’s Let’s Get Married to his girlfriend Ceri Hoffer, who answered in the affirmative in front of the couple’s family and friends.
Albion Park Show society secretary Marilyn Connelly said the proposal was a first for the show as far as she was aware.
‘’I can’t say 100 per cent but it has never happened in my time with the show. I’ve been involved for 16 years and nothing like this has ever happened,’’ Mrs Connelly said.
‘’She was in tears. She was that happy. It was great to see. The crowd loved it also. They loved being a part of it.’’
The marriage proposal came moments after Ebony Wills was named winner of the Albion Park Showgirl Competition.
The 21-year-old from Jamberoo works as a milker for Murribrook Holstein Stud and has ambitions to own and breed a pedigree Holsteins Farm.
Miss Wills has a Certificate 2 Aviation (flight operations) and is completing a Certificate 3 in legal administration.
She beat fellow Jamberoo resident Rebecca Weir and Madelyn Hayes from Albion Park to take home the Showgirl crown.
Traditional events in this year’s program included woodchopping, dairy and beef cattle judging, vegetable and farm produce and craft exhibitions.
The entertainment schedule included the Demolition Derby, animal nursery, market stalls and the Saturday night fireworks.
The FMX Kaos motorbike stunt riders were also due to take part during the two-day show on Saturday and Sunday but pulled out due to illness.
‘’That was a shame especially considering people nowadays come to the show more for the entertainment,’’ Mrs Connelly said.
‘’Embracing the agricultural traditions are still important to us but we’re finding that people want to be entertained.
‘’In saying that we still have a big animal nursery which is very popular.
‘’The kids especially love the animals and enjoy activities such as chook washing, cow milking, sheep shearing and sheep dog demonstrations.
‘’The dog flyball event is also quite spectacular. The drag racing for dogs always draws a big crowd.’’
Speaking of crowds, the turnout on Saturday night was ‘’quite good’’ considering a fireworks event was also being held in nearby Shellharbour.