Orange Show Society secretary Margaret Kennedy said entries in the majority of sections of this year’s show were up on last year.

“We are very pleased and its great to know new people are becoming interested,” she said.

Mrs Kennedy said Saturday night’s fireworks display was one of the event’s highlights.

“The rides were also very popular with families and young people this year,” she said.

Mrs Kennedy said while official attendance numbers wouldn’t be available until later in the week organisers were thrilled with the turnout.

Highlights of Saturday’s show program included cattle and dog judging, show jumping, dressage, grand parade and the announcement of the 2015 Orange Showgirl, Samantha Boog.

Yesterday’s highlights included the young farmer challenge, the beaut ute competition and the the tug of war.

Orange Show was officially opened by Orange branch of the Returned Services League president Lindsay Wright.

 Show Society president Peter Naylor said the committee felt as it was the Anzac commemoration year and considering the Australian army had trained light horse soldiers at the Orange Showground, Mr Wright was an appropriate choice.

In an emotional speech following the opening of the show, Mr Naylor thanked all the volunteers who had worked to stage this year’s show and reflected on the contribution of his late parents Ray and Betty Naylor.

Many of the events in the show program were in honour of show stalwart Mrs Naylor, including the tug of war.

“Next year we will have a fantastic new pavilion to look forward to for our show,” Mr Naylor said.

Mr Naylor said entries in the chicken and dog sections were particularly popular this year.

“The agricultural hall was packed most of the time,” he said.

Mr Naylor said the crowds were well behaved throughout the weekend.