The final Animal Nursery Markets for 2011 were attended by hundreds of people on New Year’s Eve at the Stanthorpe Showgrounds.
Locals and visitors, from as far away as the Gold Coast, arrived to buy and sell animals including chooks, ducks, geese, sheep, guinea pigs, piglets, puppies and kittens.
There was also a guest appearance from Lawdogs Australia as trainer and handler Matthew Hibberd with Coda the German Shepherd detection dog did a demonstration showcasing just how quickly and effectively sniffer dogs can seek out the hidden target items.
Lucky youngster Daniel Wilson from Stanthorpe tried hiding the scent in a line of articles but Coda alerted to it just seconds after entering the yard.
Organiser Carol Rix said: “The markets are a great day out for families looking for something different to do and watching a detection dog today was a real treat for the guests at lunch time”.
Money raised on the day from stallholders will go towards supporting the Animal Nursery, which will be open at the Stanthorpe Show on February 3-4.
The markets are held on the last Saturday of every month from 10am to 3pm at the Stanthorpe Showgrounds.