Boost for vistors to Woolorama

In a first for the Wagin Woolorama, all carnival rides will be free at this year's event.

As a result, more families are expected to attend the 2014 Make Smoking History: Wagin Woolorama, to be held from Friday, March 7, to Saturday, March 8, in its 42nd year.

Carnival rides have been subsidised by Healthway's community events funding and will be free of charge to all Woolorama patrons.

In other good news, it is free entry again, for the second year in a row, to all those under 16 who are accompanied by an adult.

Both fantastic offers are expected to attract visitors to the show from all over the Great Southern and the Wheatbelt.

Wagin Agricultural Society president Malcolm Edward said free carnival rides would be "fabulous" for families attending the event.

Woolorama media liaison officer Wendy Pederick thanked Rebecca Storch and Shane Pavlinovich, of WA health promoter Healthway, for overseeing the funding.

The State Government's Royalties for Regions program is funding free entry for children.

Mr Edward said Woolorama exhibitors have a track record of solid sales in machinery.

Often farmers attend the Dowerin GWN7 Machinery Field Days to look, but with crops still in the ground, they can be too cautious to buy.

Mr Edward said the past few seasons had been "fairly tight".

"The cheque books have been locked up to some degree, but now, after a good season, the Make Smoking History Woolorama is a golden opportunity to come and buy machinery," he said.

This year's Woolorama includes a fashion parade co-ordinated by Koshie Iles.

Murray Gell will be head steward of the shearing competition, and Bryan Kilpatrick head steward of junior judging for cattle, wool and sheep.

Up to 120 exhibitors are expected in the junior divisions.

Amber Ness will co-ordinate an entertainment program, while a Saturday night rodeo, which has gone from strength to strength in attendance in recent years, is now a permanent fixture.

Mr Edward predicts there will be at least 22,000 visitors to this year's show.

He said he hoped the carnival rides would boost numbers, after 19,500 people attended last year.