VIRTUALLY everyone had hoped the Tamworth Show would go on.
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And this year it will, but this year carnival rides and show bags are traded in for computer screens and special ribbons.
The outbreak of COVID-19 shut the traditional Tamworth Show down, so the staff at 92.9FM and 2TM came up with the 2020 Tamworth Virtual Show.
Scheduled to be held in September, the show is a highlight in the city's social calendar and manager Nikki Kenwrick said she didn't want the public to miss out.
"Annual agricultural shows are extremely important events, especially in regional towns," she said.
"They allow the wider community to connect with each other through sporting events, arts and crafts and socially.
"They also allow farmers to showcase their stock and see what other farmers have on offer to broaden their own breeding programs."
The virtual show is open to the public with five categories in photography, artwork, literature, pets and creation.
There are more prizes under each category and an under 18 section.
Ms Kenwrick said she was excited to celebrate a small representation of what the agricultural show would normally bring to town with listeners.
"People work all year on submissions to enter the annual show and at least this way they can still participate in a virtual way," she said.
"With the region still in drought, and the recent bushfires in the area, it's important for people to have something to look forward to."
The event kicked off on Monday and more details can be found on the radio station website.
Winners will be notified on September 3, which would have been the first day of the Tamworth Show.
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The annual show was called off about one month ago after COVID-19 restrictions forced the closure of the Australian Equine and Livestock Events Centre.
The Tamworth Pastoral and Agricultural Show Management Committee decided to cancel the 2020 event at its June meeting.
Last year, more than 12,000 people walked through the gates over the course of the three-day event.
The society released a statement in March indicating it planned to plow on with the event, but the coronavirus pandemic and restrictions made planning too difficult.
The committee is hoping to put on a show for the whole community in September 2021.