Rain has affected three of the last five shows, forcing the Society to cancel the ring events in 2010, 2012 and 2014 and postpone the rodeo in 2012.  In 2012, cattle, dog and goat sections were cancelled after floods kept exhibitors away from the show. 

Mrs Harmer said if the Mudgee Show was washed out again in 2015, it was possible that a show would not be held in 2016. 

Speaking to members of the Mudgee Day VIEW Club on Friday, Mrs Harmer said the Mudgee Show Society relied on gate takings to cover the costs of running the event, including hiring the Mudgee Showgrounds from the Mid-Western Regional Council. 

Although the Society has rain insurance, the conditions mean the society must decide on Friday afternoon whether to go ahead with the show on Saturday. 

In past years this has forced the society to choose between taking a chance on a fine Saturday following a Friday downpour, hoping paying crowds brave the wet weather,  or proceeding with the show but admitting the public at no charge. 

The Show Society cannot claim rain insurance if it charges admission to the show. 

Mrs Harmer said the Mudgee Rodeo, which is usually held on the Friday night before the show, will not be held this year, following a wet 2014 event.

Instead, the Gulgong and Dunedoo Polocrosse Clubs will compete in a polocrosse match in the main arena.  

However, the Mudgee Show Society has planned new attractions at the Show, including an IWA professional wrestling competition and a performance by Brothers 3. 

Mudgee Pony Club will hold a showriding day on Sunday, when the second day of Showjumping will also take place.

“Hopefully if we pray God is good to us, we’ll have a dry show this year,” Mrs Harmer said.

Mrs Harmer said although the Mudgee Show has benefited from new buildings at the Mudgee Showground, a cramped office under the grandstand and inadequate kitchen in the new main pavilion made organisers’ work difficult. 

The Society has considered relocating the show to the Australian Rural Education Centre (AREC) but feared this would result in the loss of walk-in customers, she said. 

A small Mudgee Show Society membership adds to the difficulties of organising the show. 

Mrs Harmer said in contrast to its heyday when the Mudgee Show Society had hundreds of members, the Society now has around 60 members and an active working committee of around 12 people who organise the show. 

“We do need more people on the committee,” Mrs Harmer said.  “We need new members to come and help.” 

Mrs Harmer said with family membership of $37 for two adults and two children, single adult membership of $17 and $5 admission for pensioners and children aged 5-18, the Mudgee Show was still an affordable day of entertainment.  

Membership entitles Mudgee Show Society to free admission on both days of the show.