Organisers of this weekend’s Samford Show have gone to great lengths – and heights – to try and better the attendance record for the event set last year.

For the first time the show will offer visitors the chance to get a bird’s eye view of Samford in an RAAF hot air balloon.

Also taking to the air is the high-octane thrills of the Air FX freestyle motocross team, mixing with traditional show elements such as sideshow alley, fireworks, livestock competitions and woodchop events.

Samford Show Society President Anitra Matiussa said in recent years the event has retained a lot of the “old” while blending it with the “new” to keep showgoers happy.

She said this weekend’s two-day event, with ticket prices more affordable than taking the family to the movies, would feature more new inclusions such as a classic car and bike display.

Car show organiser Trevor Taylor, from Highvale, will be joined by more than 50 motoring enthusiasts from around the state showing off makes such as MGs, Jaguars, Chevrolets and Holdens.

“When you’re young and married you have to get a car and if it’s an old car or a classic car you usually have to repair it yourself, so my interest started that way,” said Mr Taylor, whose 1966 Jaguar, 1953 MG and a Honda Gold Wing motorcycle hold pride of place in his garage.

“Most of the older bikes at the show are from the 1930s, 40s and 50s, and there’s a lot of interest in that sort of thing locally.

“I lived in the Isle of Man, which is where the TT motorcycle races were held, and of course we used to see all these bikes on the race course when I was a young boy.”

Samford Show patrons will also have to find time to squeeze in a visit to Ashton’s Circus, as well as taking in live bands, equestrian events, exciting rides, a pet parade, antique machinery display, ute muster and pig races.

Also on the schedule is pavilion displays, whip cracking, sheep shearing and tent pegging and dog jumping competitions.

ABC gardening guru Annette MacFarlane will be a guest at the show, presenting a plant clinic on Saturday from 10.30am.

The Samford Show is on 17-18 July at the Samford Showground, Showgrounds Drive, Highvale, from 8am daily. 

Entry is $12 for adults, $8 for concessions and high school students and $5 for children aged five to 14.

For more information, including a full schedule of events, visit http://www.samfordshowsociety.com.au/