October is usually a busy month for the state's country shows but this year they have nearly all been cancelled, all except Naracoorte which put on a show with a difference.
Unable to welcome big crowds to the showgrounds due to COVID-19 restrictions the show committee came up with a novel idea to take a 'bite sized' selection of the show's competitive classes to the town.
It resulted earlier this month in the Naracoorte Showcase with local businesses hosting art, cookery, handicraft, photography, junior sections and a rose show in their shop windows for up to a week.
Since COVID-19 hit in March a couple of SA shows have gone online but this was the first time a show has been able to display physical entries to the public.
Naracoorte's Show 'Virtual' Garden of the Year was also a big hit, with 10 entries judged from photos taken around each of the entrants' gardens.
The winner was Michelle Stewart who, in just three years, has transformed a bare paddock into a stunning cottage garden, as well as productive orchard and vegetable patch.
Show secretary Amanda Lock said the hard-working committee had adopted the 'where there is a will there is a way' philosophy.
"So many events had been cancelled across the state we felt we had to do something to boost morale in our local town and keep the authenticity of the show and tradition of the show going, even when it was a struggle to do it," she said.
"We wanted to be able to support the community in the same way that they had supported us every year."
Mrs Lock said the showcase was a great success and she was thrilled to receive nearly 230 entries, even though there was only a small selection of classes for the community to participate in and a limited promotional budget.
"The quality of the entries was equal to and even above what we receive in an ordinary show year," she said.
"The cakes in particular were an excellent standard and the people involved in the (Local Identity Chocolate Cake) challenge were fantastic with their willingness to get behind the show."
Mrs Lock also praised the creativity among the junior entries, especially the pet rocks and lego and said the rose blooms made a great display.
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