Sheep shearers and horse riders met monster truck drivers and wrestlers at the 156th annual Dapto Show at the weekend.
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Friday's scorching weather, followed by Saturday's overcast conditions, did nothing to dampen the spirits of hundreds of patrons who flocked to Dapto Showground for food, rides and entertainment.
The monster trucks, IWA pro wrestling and the Toyota V6 Hilux Heroes stunt team proved to be crowd pleasers with those looking for a bit of muscle, while sheep-shearing and cow-milking displays showed off the show's farming roots.
Dapto Show secretary Paul Mack said the show continued to hold an important place in the area's history.
"It's all about bringing the country to the city," he said.
"As Wollongong grows, we move further away from the farming community so it's a chance for people to see that milk does come from a cow and wool is shorn from a sheep - it's a definite drawcard."
Horse events took over the showground on Friday but the pony club competition was cancelled due to the hot conditions.
The pavilion, housing everything from fruit and vegetables to home brew, attracted entrants from the Illawarra, Southern Highlands and Shoalhaven.
Mr Mack said this year's woodwork display was outstanding.
"It's just amazing what they can do with wood," he said.
"We've got a big Mac truck fashioned out of timber, it's just incredible."
The Bubble Muffin Kids cooking club, a new addition to the show's line-up, was a hit with kids and parents who embraced the show's healthy eating message.
"They did about five shows through the day, promoting healthy eating and really trying to stamp out obesity," Mr Mack said.
"It was something a bit different and very hands-on ... the kids were cooking fruit skewers and rice paper rolls. They loved it."
Gold Coast native Lauren McKay was crowned as this year's showgirl after she moved to the region last year to study at the University of Wollongong.
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