The Show will hold its 128^th annual event on Saturday.

Show society secretary Heather Bush said the organising committee had been expecting a sharp downturn in numbers.

“The livestock numbers are really high,” she said.

“We were expecting to have cattle numbers down a fair bit and we are actually as high as we have ever been.

“The entries haven’t really closed yet and we have we have got more than 150 cattle coming, which is really huge.”

Mrs Bush said the pavilion would be “very full”.

“There will be lots of sheep. There will be new sheep exhibitors” she said.

“One of the schools in Wagga is bringing 20 sheep to exhibit and lots of kids.

“There is also junior judging on Friday and we have probably got over 100 kids competing in the junior program.”

There have also been strong numbers of commercial exhibitors applying for space at the show.

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The show society is expecting between 3000 and 5000 visitors for the main events on Saturday, depending on the weather.

One of the main new attractions is a free family zone that includes places to rest and children’s activities.

“We have got a family ares with free fun, we will have sandpits and some toys and free facepainting,” Mrs Bush said.

“it’s right next to the animal nursery and is close to the food stalls and the opening of the show and the main entertainment area.”

Mrs Bush said this year’s showgirl would be announced on Saturday at about 3.30pm at the show with Maddison Sedgwick and Claudia Dowell vying for the sash.

“We had three judges for the showgirls, they were all from Harden.” Mrs Bush said.

Mrs Bush said preparations for the show were “going really well”.

“We have still got all our attractions lined up,” she said.

“We are having a shearing competition and that’s always a big drawcard at the Cootamundra Show.

“It’s really well done and exciting to watch.

“Our pet show is going to be on and we are really excited about our free family entertainment and fun area.”

There have also been some changes to the children’s area this year.

 “The children’s pavilion section has moved to the Ned Steiger Pavilion,” Mrs Bush said.

​The Show will run from 9am to 9pm at the showgrounds at the corner of Pinkerton Road and Bethong Street with admission $10 for adults $5 concession with no charge for pre-schoolers.