Babies to grandparents filed through the gates to discover something new as part of the community event where agriculture meets artisan and carnival.

Show president Peter Evans said it was a fabulous weekend with packed grandstands, people four to five deep around the centre ring and line-ups for rides, showbags and food.

Mr Evans said the most popular centre ring events were the rodeo, monster trucks and fireworks.

The animal nursery was also a great hit with children of all ages patting and feeding them.

Its popularity saw organisers needing to build another five-tap washstand to ensure hands were clean as they left.

“We have not seen numbers like this at The Show since the 1980s," Mr Evans said. "It is fantastic to see the families arriving in droves and the kids so excited.

“The community has spoken – it wants to keep The Show and the showground. We intend to answer the call by further developing it into a community space for 365 days that includes our annual show.”

At this year’s event, new competitions for honey and LEGO attracted a lot of attention from entrants and the public.

There were more than 30 honey entries and 160 LEGO lovers, aged from 2 to 56 years, built amazing displays.

On the more traditional side there were more than 130 horse entrants, with some using The Show to prepare for Sydney Royal Easter Show.

This was the same story for the tent pegging and woodchop competitors.

Show general manager Gabe Robinson said it was a glorious representation of Newcastle and Hunter getting behind the region’s biggest show and helping to rebuild it.

Mr Robinson said The Show was a community event for the community by the community.

“This year is a sample of what is to come as together we rebuild the iconic event to showcase the region’s agriculture, horticulture and industry from 2020 onwards," he said.