Easter Show - 4WD Association Display
Trip leader: Rory McArdle (4WDNSW / Out and About 4WD)
Attendees: Steve Arman, Craig Thomas, Warren Allan, Richard Windeyer, Jadey Kirk, Darren Perkins, Garry Smith, Darren Calleia and Venga crew......
Arriving right on the death knock of 7.30am at gate 10 with the weather not only looking ominous but putting on a good show of it, we proceed past several security barriers led in by Rory McArdle from the association.
Triple Diamond was privileged to take up eight of a total twelve positions on offer this year on the 4WD association stand so that we could field any questions that the public might have on our recreational activity. We fielded all questions - and even an enquiry or two on the Venga-Bus! (All occupants gained free entry to the show so that the cars could be on the stand.)
We were all set up on the stand with a good idea what the day had in store for us by 8.15 and all of the children were itching to get out and look around between showers and were eventually let out of the starting blocks at 8.45am.
All of the grounds were wet, and we weren’t sure whether the rides would be open. We headed over to the Showbag Hall first, to get the purchases out of the way. We spent the amount of money allotted for the bags, and bought the coupons that would allow us on the rides. Being the last day of the show, it was kids day and so the deal was, if two people went on any ride, the second person rode free.
We had dropped our purchases off at the cars and buddied up for the rides. The first ride we went on was called the Hard Rock, and there were many other thrilling rides that followed. A standout was when Amy and Jake Arman decided to go on the “Pirates Revenge”..... By the end of this ride, they were soaked to the bone!
Another highlight was a Channel 7 News crew which approached to interview us on what the Easter Show was like on such a dreary day and whether it spoiled our fun. We were pleased to tell them that the rain made only a minor impact on our fun, and there were still many more rides to go on. The keen observer would have spotted us on the channel 7 news in the evening.
The state of rain was very variable all day. It went from no rain at all at times, to drizzling, to absolutely heavy downpours. We visited the Woolworths Fresh Food Dome to get out of the rain when it was at its hardest. We enjoyed all of the food tasting areas, and saw all of the displays. One of the most exciting displays for us was Samsung stand, where artists drew us a caricature portrait each with amazing likeness. This was done on a Samsung device with a stylist. They emailed the finished result to us as well as printing a copy for us to stick on the fridge.
As the weather did not improve as the day went on, and the cars were all scheduled to be escorted off the stand by 4.30pm, we all rolled out – but were welcome to return on foot. With the weather as it was, we continued home and did not stay for the rodeo and fireworks....... hopefully next year!
Rachael Calleia and father Darren Calleia