Queanbeyan Show 2014 online

The death-defying 'No Limit' ride again proved popular with punters, as did the Zarb family's annual animal nursery, which packed out the cattle shed with delighted kids for most of the weekend.

Show assistant secretary Kim Holden said the show committee was thrilled with gate numbers up on last year's Show, and said the hot weather had helped ensure a strong showing.

"I think the crowd was slightly down in the evening because we didn't have the bull ride this year," Mrs Holden said.

"But I found there were more people on the show ground on the Sunday than previous years, and I think the great weather really helped us there."

The committee experimented with a new approach to Saturday night entertainment this year, bringing former X-Factor winner Altiyan Childs in to perform a concert instead of the usual bull ride. And Mrs Holden said the musical guest idea might be something the committee pursues again at future shows.

"I think it was well received. His own supporters were definitely there, but I don't think many people in Queanbeyan were aware that he was going to be at the Show."

But while the crowds were out enjoying the rides, showbags and sideshows, Mrs Holden spent most of the weekend hard at work in the kitchen. However she said she managed to catch a couple of highlights along the way.

"I thought the fireworks were pretty sensational this year. And it was great to host the Boer goat exhibition this year with our international judge, Callie Wannenburg, flying in from South Africa to judge it," she said.

"And the sideshow and the rides were fantastic. Some of the biggest rides in Australia were at our show this year, the kind rides you only generally see at major, capital city shows.

"When you've got good rides like that, you know that the town's supporting your show," she said.