The 80m x 33m Naylor Pavilion was opened in 2017 but Orange mayor Reg Kidd said the new project included a large-scale commercial kitchen with internal kiosk, male, female and disabled toilets and showers.

"Whether it's a farmers market or as the wet-weather back-up for a touring show like The Grapes of Mirth, the large size of the Naylor Pavilion makes it a fantastic all-year-round community venue," Cr Kidd said.

The $600,000 project was jointly funded by the NSW Government Showground Stimulus program, funding from the NSW government's Community Building Partnership Program and Orange City Council.

Nationals MLC Sam Farraway said it was great to attend the opening.

"Orange Showground has served as a community hub since 1908 and these upgrades to the Naylor Pavilion will help keep it safe and functional for future generations," he said.

"Not only does the new toilet and showers amenities reduce costs for the show society as they will no longer have to fund portable toilets to service the pavilion, but along with upgrades to the canteen and kitchen they provide the ultimate venue for any event, bringing new opportunities to the Orange region.

Member for Orange Phil Donato said the upgrade would make the venue more attractive to wider range of users.

"This new addition extends the pavilion's functional capability and scope of use, fully realising the multi-purpose aspect of the facility for a wide-range of community events, activities and functions," Mr Donato said.

"For a rapidly growing city, there's been a lack of large indoor facilities here in Orange."

Among those who attended the show was the Thompson family who stopped by to see an artwork daughter Ellie helped create at Trinity Preschool.

Oscar Thompson said it was obvious there was a lot of effort put into the show.

"The show society is working to make it more entertaining and the fruits of their [effort] is showing today," he said.

Ken Williams from Ashburnia Poll Dorset Stud at Four Mile Creek won the champion poll Dorset ram and ewe in the sheep pavilion and said this was his 50^th Orange Show.

"The sheep section is very good, sheep here are very good due to the good season we've had," Mr Williams said.

"The sheep are looking excellent."

However, he said numbers were down compared to previous years due to the Wellington Show also taking place on the weekend and an excellent selling year.

In addition to the stud animals he said there were also about 90 lambs at the show which sold for $200 a head.

Show treasurer Matt Lamrock said he was happy with early reports coming from the gate and grounds on Saturday.

He said there were 3951 mostly presale tickets sold before lunchtime Saturday and he expected more people to arrive throughout the day on Saturday and on Sunday.

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