LIKE clockwork, rain fell over Newcastle ahead of the start of The Show on Friday.
The city was a picture of constant rain on Thursday ahead of the annual show that seems to be perennially hit with wet weather, but organisers are confident a new range of attractions - many indoors - will draw healthy crowds over what is expected to be a wet few days.
By 5pm on Thursday, about 15mm of rain had fallen at Nobbys since 9am.
In other drought-hit parts of the region falls had been slightly heavier. Cessnock received 25mm, Merriwa 24mm and Singleton 21mm.
The Show's general manager, Gabe Robinson, said the weather had not delayed preparations and outdoor precincts had been set up and tested as per schedule.
He said the rides were ready to spin, showbags were loaded, and livestock, produce and goods were all set for exhibition.
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While he was expecting those traditional aspects of the show to be as popular as ever, he said there was "50 free things that people can see or do" at this year's show.
"When I came into the show and reviewed our show, what I found was kids constantly want something every five metres and it's because they're getting a short, quick fix," he said.
"What I've tried to put in here are more things that they can learn from, they can use their hands and take some time to get through it."
The show's exhibition centre features many of the more engaging attractions.
Mr Robinson said it might take two hours for a child to get through the building as "we have so many different workshops happening".
"They can spend half-an-hour making friendship bracelets from up-cycle t-shirts, they can go across to our parkour area and learn how to do controlled rolls, they can hop over to our STEM education robotics area and learn how to do entry-level coding and play soccer with sphero robotic balls, or learn how to play music with sphero rings," he said.
"There is quite an array of things to do and a lot of this stuff is aimed to be done by a child and a parent."
Monster trucks are on Friday night ahead of the Rodeo on Saturday night and demolition derby on Sunday. Fireworks will be launched from 9pm each night. The wood-chopping begins from 10am on Saturday.
One-day tickets are $15 for a child (age 6-14) and concession, $25 for an adult or from $60 for a family pass. Gates open at 9am on Friday.
