The travelling showmen hauling caravans and trucks packed with rides are arriving at the Orange Showground ahead of the 146^th show on April 28-29.

From the Sydney Royal Easter Show to Bathurst last weekend, Hawkesbury next weekend, then Orange and onto Yeoval and Wellington, the travelling caravans will roll on throughout much of eastern Australia all year.

Anthony Laurie has spent a lifetime travelling.

“There’s five generations now of Lauries [as showmen],” he said.

“My grandfather had the steam merry-go-round, about 1906 he started.

“I’ve been coming to the Orange show all my life.

“We travel up as far as Cairns and South Australia and Victoria and NSW.

“We go to the Northern Territory sometimes, up to Darwin.”

For Mr Naylor, deep in preparation for the show,  the arrival of the showmen is a welcome sight.

“It puts my mind at ease when I see the showmen are here, I know everything else will follow,” he said.

Mr Naylor said the showmen occupied their regular spots at the showground every year.

“Everyone’s got their own spot, it has passed down from generation to generation.”

He said this year’s show promises a host of new rides, stronger entries for many sections of the show and more stands and seats inside the Naylor Pavilion.

Brophy Bros. Circus will be a headline act.

Mr Naylor said the circus was bringing acts unseen in Orange before including trapeze, juggling, horses and more.

“We cater for the children, we try and make it a family show, that’s why the circus is free,” he said.

Mr Naylor said schools were already setting up their displays in the Naylor Pavilion, utilising the school holidays.

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