THE KIAMA Show Society has urged the community to pledge financial support and become part of their "family" to preserve the event's heritage-keeping purpose and quality of entertainment.
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As the event heads into its 167th year in January 2015 - one of the oldest shows of its kind in Australia - its committee has asked that more community members take up a membership and ensure the show's viability.
The Kiama Show won the event or festival category at this year's South Coast Tourism Awards.
While they wished to stress that the show's financial future wasn't threatened, show society publicity officer Karen Beasley and secretary Sue Granger-Holcombe said increased membership numbers would provide greater security for organisers.
This was especially due to increased costs of running such events.
"We're concerned because our community's growing, and we have such great numbers that come to the Kiama Show that support us, and we would just like to have the financial support as well," Mrs Beasley said.
"It just allows us to do a bigger and better event.
"It allows us to be confident about our expenditure before the show on entertainment, and so many more opportunities to make a better show beforehand.
"We are the heritage keepers of something very special; we realise the significance of having to keep that going."
"It makes planning for the show that much easier, when we know that we've got an 'x' percentage of members that will contribute to the show," Mrs Granger-Holcombe said.
"The families that love to come in the evenings each night for the entertainment, that's largely on the back of membership."
Membership is $18 for an adult, $5 juniors and $40 families.
Mrs Beasley said exhibitor numbers were growing, including many juniors.
Members receive the show schedule three months prior to the event.
"Getting the schedule earlier means they can plan earlier what they're going to exhibit," Mrs Beasley said.
"The saving over a two-day period for a member is up to 50 per cent.
"Kiama Show is really the heart of the Kiama community.
"We are the only organisation that brings all the other organisations together.
"When you become a member of the Kiama Show, you become like a member of the Kiama Show family."
To join, phone 4233 1597.
