THE annual Australian Sheep and Wool Show is set to fill the Prince of Wales Showgrounds to bursting this weekend.
Organisers are expecting 26,000-28,000 sheep at the event, while 450 siteholders showcasing the best of Australian wool will fill the grounds.
Australian Sheep and Wool Show chief executive Margot Falconer said there wasn't a spare piece of dirt left to fit in more site holders. And the event was still growing, she said.
"In the last four years it's grown by 40 per cent," Ms Falconer said.
"We can't fit anymore sheep in, and we can't fit any more sites in, so now what we have to do is grow the audience and bring more people in, because we're running out of space.
"From a sheep showing perspective, we're recognised as a key benchmarking event. So people come here from Queensland, Western Australia, Kangaroo Island, Tasmania, and they come because they want to be judged against the best in Australia."
It was about 20 years ago that the event moved to Bendigo.
Committee member Graeme Harvey said the event was a chance to showcase the best genetics in Australia.
"We're lucky that people to come here and they come here not only to exhibit their animals, to showcase their genetics, to sell or buy, but it's ... where everybody comes together," Mr Harvey said.
"It's where they compare animal to animal, it's where you can talk to someone about, 'How can I do this?'"
Ms Falconer said there would be something at the sheep for everyone, whether that be shopping or family activities.
"If you don't give a toss about sheep, you will come here and find something," she said.
Australian Sheep and Wool Show runs July 19-20.
For more information, visit: sheepshow.com/
Have you signed up to the Bendigo Advertiser's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in central Victoria.