THE Hamilton and District Legacy Fleece Show is finally going ahead this upcoming week at the Showgrounds with about 200 fleeces from the region on exhibition to raise money for the organisation.

The show was originally slated for early December, but the wet spring of 2022 meant shearing of sheep had been significantly delayed and this had a ripple restrictive effect on the number of fleeces available.

Starting on Tuesday, the show will display a wide range of fleeces from the region, all with a view to raise funds for Legacy.

Hamilton and District Legacy secretary, Mal Eales, said he was happy with the way the event was shaping up.

“We think we got along pretty well,” he said.

“We’ve had them all (fleeces) in one place – to spread them out to see exactly what we’ve got.

“There’s still a couple to be collected and a few people a bit late shearing and hoping to have a fleece by next week.

“But we think we’re going along really well at the moment.”

Mr Eales said he expected a few last-minute fleeces to come in early next week and was grateful for the support of agents.

“They’re all very cooperative as far as supporting it and how it comes together,” he said.

“Some people like to bring them in on the day themselves, so they can have a quiet look at what else is there while they drop their own off.”

Some of the categories include; Most Successful Merino Fleece Exhibitor, Most Valuable Commercial Fleece, and of course the trophy for Champion Fleece of the Show.

Mr Eales said the importance of the event was significant.

“In terms of Legacy, it would certainly the biggest single money earner we have for the year,” he said.

“It depends on the price of wool, but it would certainly be somewhere around 40 per cent of what we get for the year.”

Legacy supports the families of military veterans and is grateful to be “able to put it all back into the local community”.

“We’re able to allocate everything we get,” Mr Eales said.

The 71st Hamilton and District Legacy Fleece Show will be held on Tuesday, February 14 to Thursday, February 16 at the Fashion Room, Sheepvention Centre, Hamilton.

The show will be open to the public on the last day from 10am to 3pm and the trophy presentation will follow at 6.30pm.