The 2025 Elders Lismore Show ended on Saturday with smiles all around for organisers, despite the threat of severe thunderstorms keeping some people away from the night's rodeo entertainment.

As it turned out, a short bit of light rain didn't dampen the enthusiasm of those who were at the Lismore Showground to take in another climactic night.

"I do think that Lismore should start paying the show society money to break droughts," quipped North Coast National Secretary Mark Sollom.

"We reckon that knocked us down about 4000 people. I know personally quite a few people that said, Oh, we were going to come, but when the rain was going to start, we thought, No, we don't want to be sitting outside watching the rodeo. But we were very fortunate in that it was like the previous year, a reasonably light shower. It seemed to go around Lismore, and anybody that was here had a great night. The bar went really well. The music was very well received, and they did well in sideshow alley out the back."

Around 18,000 people from Lismore, the Northern Rivers and beyond enjoyed all the activity since the gates opened last Thursday morning for three days.

The rodeo did go ahead for the first time since 2019, to a strong crowd, with the grandstands full. Between 700 and 800 people took in the Dave Graney 'n' The Coral Snakes on the community stage on Friday night. There were strong numbers for the beef cattle this year, and the dedication of the Rodney Gibson Beef Cattle ring on Friday night.

There was an Australian Championship event with the wood chop this year. For 2026, organisers are looking to build on that, with some state championship events.

The brand new 30-Tonne Truck Pull competition drew crowds of close to 1,500 near the horse stables, which saw a Fijian team take home the $3,000 first prize.

It was the last year for the fine arts pavilion, and the TURSA Art Prize venue at the Lismore Gem Club, because both buildings will either be renovated or rebuilt over the next twelve months. Plus, there will be more improvements thanks to the NSW Government's Flood Remediation Program.

Fine Arts will be stripped out and get brand new cabinetry, so it was a fond farewell during the 2025 Lismore Show. The displays were built by volunteers over the last hundred years.

The wood chop building will be demolished and rebuilt. Sandy's Bar, the Rotary Bar and the main public grandstand are getting a total makeover. Each will be stripped down to its foundations and rebuilt.

The poultry pavilion is having a massive upgrade, with the old pens being replaced with a modern composite material that will be better for the health of the chickens.

Coming up at the Lismore Showgrounds in November is the Lismore Base Hospital Auxiliary Market Day, followed by the annual and extremely popular Tropical Fruits New Year's Eve festivities.