Local

Junee Show set for biggest year yet with first-ever rodeo

Published

15 hours ago

October 15, 2026

Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

THE Junee Show is gearing up for one of its biggest years yet, with rodeo action set to headline the 136th annual event for the first time in its history on Saturday, October 24.

In a major first for the long-running agricultural show, the Junee Show Society is introducing a full-scale rodeo to this year’s program, bringing an exciting new attraction to one of the Shire’s biggest annual community events.

The inaugural Junee Show Rodeo will see competitors battle for almost $7,000 in prize money across a range of events, including steer wrestling, team roping, barrel racing and junior steer rides.

And in a major win for showgoers, admission to the rodeo is included in the price of a regular show ticket.

But the rodeo is just one part of what’s shaping up to be a bumper day, with the Junee Show Society pulling together a jam-packed program combining traditional agricultural competitions, live entertainment, family activities and plenty of good old-fashioned country show fun.

All the favourites will return, including sideshow alley, carnival rides, showbags, show food, livestock judging, pavilion exhibits, the popular dog high jump and a host of free competitions and activities.

An extended bar licence and entertainment will keep the festivities rolling into the evening, before the Show’s traditional fireworks grand finale lights up the sky at the later time of 9pm.

Junee Show fireworks finale in 2023 | Photo: Kev Schultz

Rodeo Makes Show History

While rodeos have been held in Junee in years gone by, this year marks the first time the sport has been incorporated into the town’s annual agricultural show.

Organisers are billing the rodeo as the beginning of a “brand-new tradition” for the Show, a significant addition to the 136-year-old event which will see patrons free to move between the traditional attractions and the rodeo arena throughout the afternoon.

The inaugural event will be staged in the CWB Contracting Arena, with the opening performance scheduled for 3pm and a second main performance at 5pm, giving spectators plenty of opportunities to catch the action while enjoying everything else the show has to offer.

Competitors will be chasing almost $7,000 in prize money, with $1,000 up for grabs in each of the five headline events: steer wrestling, team roping, ladies barrel racing, steer undecorating and ladies breakaway roping.

Image: Amcilrick/WikimediaCommons

A further $300 is on offer in novice steer wrestling, while junior and juvenile competitors will have their chance to shine in team roping, barrel racing, breakaway roping and steer riding.

The junior program includes age divisions for children aged eight to under 11, 11 to under 14 and 14 to under 18, depending on the event.

The rodeo will run through to 8pm and is included in general admission, making it one of the biggest drawcards of this year’s event.

For more information specific to the inaugural Junee Show Rodeo, click here.

All Your Show Favourites

Away from the rodeo arena, the Junee Show will deliver everything locals have come to expect from the annual event.

Sideshow alley will be buzzing with carnival rides, games, showbags and all the sights and sounds of a traditional country show from 9am.

Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

There’ll be plenty of show food to enjoy throughout the day, while the free animal nursery will open from 9am, giving younger visitors the opportunity to get up close to some furry and feathered friends.

The Lord Pavilion will also open at 9am, showcasing the talents of local residents, schools, growers and exhibitors.

Displays and competitions will cover everything from cookery, jams and preserves, woollen and needlework, photography, arts and crafts, and horticulture to school work, creative writing, construction, field wheat and farm produce.

Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

The poultry section will also return, with judging commencing at 9.30am, while cattle and sheep junior judging will begin from 9am.

The Belling Hall Markets, formerly known as the Ladies Lifestyle Pavilion, will open at 10am, offering another opportunity for visitors to browse the stalls and displays.

Those planning to enter pavilion competitions should note that entries generally close on Wednesday, October 21, unless otherwise specified in the official show schedule.

Poultry entries also close on the Wednesday before show day.

Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

Bluey, Pets & High-Flying Dogs

Families with young children will have plenty to look forward to, with free photo opportunities featuring Bluey scheduled at 10.30am, 1.30pm and 2.45pm.

The popular pet show will return at 11am in front of the grandstand, with free entry and four categories designed to celebrate pets of all shapes, sizes and personalities.

Prizes will be awarded for the happiest pet, most unusual pet, best trick and best fur, scales or feathers, with prize packs for first and second place in each category.

Entries can be lodged at the Show Office on the day.

Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

Another crowd favourite, the dog high jump, which was introduced to the Show for the first time in 2025, will return at approximately 3pm at the marshalling yard near the main bar.

After proving a huge hit last year, the competition will again see dogs attempt to clear increasingly high jumps, with three classes catering for small dogs, working dogs and large dogs.

First-place prizes include $150 for the small and large dog categories and $200 for working dogs, with additional prizes for second and third place.

Entries will be taken on the day, with all dogs required to remain restrained and on a lead until competing.

Action on the Main Track

The afternoon entertainment won’t be confined to the rodeo arena.

The Riverina Mini Trotting Club will bring its popular mini trots to the showground from 4pm, adding another dose of racing excitement to the program.

At 5pm, the action moves to the main track for the free gumboot throwing competition, with four age divisions catering for children under seven, youngsters aged eight to 12, teenagers aged 13 to 16 and adults aged 17 and over.

Then, at 6pm, the Bushman’s Relay Challenge will put competitors through their paces in another traditional country show favourite.

The free event will feature junior and senior divisions, giving participants aged 16 and under, and those aged 17 and over, the opportunity to compete.

Both competitions promise plenty of laughs, friendly rivalry and entertainment for spectators.

Young Woman Competition

The Junee Show’s Young Woman Competition will also return, recognising young women from across the community and offering the winner an opportunity to progress through the broader agricultural show competition.

The competition, formerly known as Miss Showgirl, provides entrants with opportunities to develop their public speaking, networking, leadership and advocacy skills, while connecting with other young women who share a passion for their community.

Judging will commence at noon in the President’s Lounge, with the 2026 Junee Young Woman to be announced during the official show opening at 2pm.

The winner will receive $500 in prize money, a personal development weekend in Dubbo and a range of donated prizes, along with the opportunity to progress to zone judging.

The show will also feature its traditional baby, toddler, junior, intermediate and teenage competitions, with judging scheduled from noon.

Entries for the 2026 Junee Show Young Woman competition close this Friday, October 16.

To enter, interested young women are encouraged to contact competition coordinator Sara Makeham at s.makeham@hotmail.com.

Registrations for the junior categories can be completed on show day, with entry forms available from the Show Office and to be handed in at marshalling.

For more information, click here.

Show Admission prices: