LILYDALE SHOW
Lilydale Agricultural & Horticultural Show Society
Agricultural & Horticultural Shows
Are a traditional way to demonstrate the rural way of life through friendly competitions involving farm animals, art/crafts and horticulture. They continue to focus on Agriculture, rural lifestyles and family fun. There are School displays with Emergency Services demonstrations, blacksmithing, vintage farm machinery, dog events and a children's interactive animal farm with a variety of furry & feathered friends. All this combined with a fairground atmosphere of show rides, showbags, family entertainment, fireworks and fun activities to provide to the community an enjoyable family day out.
Lilydale Show Weekend
The Lilydale Agricultural and Horticultural Society holds its Agricultural and Horticultural Show annually on the 3rd Saturday and Sunday in November.
Location of the Lilydale Show
Lilydale is situated at the entrance to the Yarra Valley and is considered to be the ideal location for an A&H show being halfway between town and country. Whilst the majority of people attending the Show come from Lilydale, the Yarra Valley Region and surrounding districts, tourists visit from all over. The Lilydale Show is held in the heart of Lilydale with the main entrance located on the Maroondah Highway and is just 45km from Melbourne and adjacent to the Lilydale railway station for easy rail access.
Lilydale A & H Society
The Society is a voluntary-based, non-profit organisation formed in 1953. Since then the Lilydale Show Society has successfully presented an Agricultural and Horticultural Show annually for the enjoyment of all the community.
The Society's Structure
Lilydale A&H Society is an incorporated body, affiliated with the Victorian Agricultural Societies Ltd. (VAS Ltd), whose office is situated at the Royal Melbourne Showgrounds. The LAHS consists of an elected Committee led by an Executive Committee consisting of a President, three Vice-Presidents, Secretary/Administrator and Treasurer. The main committee consists of Society Members and specialised Chief Stewards of the competition section such as Horses, Angora Goats, Sheep, Poultry, Rats, Dog Flyball, Budgerigars & Cage Birds, Arts and Crafts, Cookery, Needlework, Photography, Horticulture, Balmoral Highland Dancing, Victorian Scottish Dancing, Woodchop, Wool and Show Personality. There are also stewards to assist in the sections as well as sub-committees to handle activities requiring special attention.
Funding of the A&H Show
The Lilydale Show Society is a not-for-profit community organisation managed by volunteers. Revenue for staging the event is generated from gate-takings, business sponsorship, contributions from the community and friends of the Society, competitors entry fees, hire of pavilions and site rental fees from business sites which are located throughout the showground's over the Show weekend. Support and assistance is also given from the Shire of Yarra Ranges with waste management and infrastructure tasks through a Shire Grant sought by the Show Society each year.
Involvement of other community groups
Many community groups assist in tasks for staging the show and also participate at the show to promote and to raise funds for their group. Some of these groups are Rotary, Lions, Scouts, Rovers, CFA, SES, Neighbourhood Watch, local secondary and primary schools, church groups, sporting and recreational/hobby groups.
Melba Park Family Free Entertainment Precinct
The precinct has been developed as an area dedicated to children with the attractions free of charge such as the interactive farmyard animals, face painting and reptile display. It showcases many local community groups and organisations such as the CFA, SES, St John Ambulance, Yarra Valley Machinery Preservation Society, local schools, churches and hobby/recreational groups. Set between the trees, the stage is the perfect family entertainment spot to sit and watch the Show Personality competition on Saturday and performances by community dance groups and local bands on the stage over both days. This precinct is widely appreciated and enjoyed by families, in particular the children.
Sponsorship of Competition Sections and Events
Each section at the Show requires support to assist in the purchase of ribbons, silk sashes, prize money, prize cards, trophies, feed, events or the hire of specific equipment for the Show. This support is vital for the successful staging of events and sections. Choices of packages are offered with the benefits increasing in line with promotional activity choices with specific packages negotiated to suit individual sponsors. We believe the Show Society offers a variety of promotional opportunities rather than simply seeking donations. Sponsorship opportunity for promotional business event/section naming rights and activities are detailed in a 'Sponsorship Proposals' document available on request.
Business Sites
Sites are situated throughout the showgrounds selling food, equipment, merchandise, produce, plants or static promotional displays. Site fees (3m up to 10m frontages) range from $150 to $450 for the weekend. Larger sites are available on negotiation. Must attend both days - Saturday to the end of the night-time concert at 9.30pm & Sunday to 5pm. The Lilydale Show is the ideal location for business exposure to a captive audience. Families take the opportunity to do their gift buying just prior to Christmas. The Lilydale Show Society invites your 'Expression of Interest' in securing a spot in the business site areas situated throughout the showgrounds. Your earliest follow up to this offer would ensure you a site in a high exposure area.
Society Contact Representative
A representative of the Society is available at any time to answer your enquiries and/or dicuss your participation.
Please contact Administration, at the Show Office on:
Phone 03 9735 1292
Fax 03 97354615
Email admin@lilydaleshow.org.au
ANSWERS TO FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS