Glancing around the Parkes Showground this week - there were crowds of children, families, couples and teenagers smiling, laughing, socialising, exploring, and curious about what the 139th Parkes Show had to offer.
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Parkes Show Society president Peter Unger said he could feel the positive vibes flowing throughout the event that ran from Monday to Wednesday.
He said it was comforting and a delight to see given the current seasonal and financial conditions across the Parkes Shire at the moment.
Thousands of showgoers flocked to this year's show to enjoy all the usual, favourite attractions - the horse, cattle, sheep and poultry events; photography and art competitions; main pavilion exhibits; showgirl and showman judging; animal nursery; FMX bikes; dog show; machinery area; ute and barrel races; fireworks; demolition derby and of course the rides and sideshow alley.
"It wasn't a record show but in saying that the committee is very pleased with the turnout," Mr Unger said.
"We are very happy in the way the community supported the show, especially given the seasonal conditions. It's fantastic people are continuing to support this valuable community asset. The general public should be commended.
"I'm a farmer myself and I know how tough it is out there - I was really surprised how positive everyone is.
"People were talking about the weather for only a few minutes and then would talk about something else - no one dwelled on it."
Mr Unger said they did see a surprising growth in entries for competitions they expected to be impacted by the drought.
"The fruit and veggie entries were some of the highest we've ever had, which really surprised the stewards in that area," he said.
"All other sections were well supported too."
Numbers in the sheep pavilion were well up considering the drought - there were 38 entries from five studs in the Australian and British breeds and there were nine pens of crossbred lambs from three exhibitors.
The horse entries were higher than expected and almost on par with previous years.
And Mr Unger was thrilled to see businesses still bringing their machinery to the show.
"They're doing it just as tough or even tougher - they don't shift all that gear here for nothing," he said.
"We're grateful to them that they keep showing up."
The Miss Showgirl competition attracted five entrants, which the committee were ecstatic over, and there was a change to the running of the Miss Teenager event this year.
The Show Society decided to have the Miss Teenager competition coincide and run similar to the Miss Showgirl event, to give it more exposure and make the experience a little more special for the girls.
"It was a way to show them how it all works and so that it's not quite as daunting for them if they do consider entering the Miss Showgirl down the track," Mr Unger said.
"That was the idea behind it."
The 2019 Parkes Miss Showgirl title went to Parkes woman Bec Auld, while Melaney Smede was named 2019 Parkes Miss Teenager.
Another highlight of the show, and perhaps the biggest, was Tuesday night's fireworks.
"Everyone I spoke to said they were the best fireworks they've ever seen," Mr Unger said.
"We are so grateful to the Lees family, who are local, for all they do - they do more for us than what we pay for."
Wednesday night's demolition derby had six cars entered and Mr Unger said it was one of the better smash-ups than previous years.
"It lasted a bit longer and there were some good hits - it was a good bit of action," he said.
"You could hear the crowd when there was a good hit."
Mr Unger also said the farmers talks tent - that featured a range of topics for farmers and has been running for a few years now - attracted a good roll-up.
The Parkes Show Society would like to thank its major sponsors Northparkes Mines and McPhersons Parts and Service, and to all other sponsors who support the show year after year.
