THE jewel in the Southern Downs show crown is fast approaching.

From March 23-25, keen spectators and participants will descend on the Warwick Showgrounds for the 151st staging of the Warwick Show.

Residents of the Rose City will enjoy a public holiday on Friday, March 23, giving everybody ample opportunity to attend the event.

Two of the main drawcards for the event are the Showgirl and Rural Ambassador categories.

Earlier this month, nominations opened for the positions, with the exciting announcement of junior categories for the event.

Emma Mills was the recipient of last year's Rural Ambassador title.

She said it was a great initiative to welcome the juniors into the fray.

"We always like to get more young people involved, as well as fresh new ideas for people to come to the show,” Miss Mills said.

Miss Mills has been a long-time employee at Riverina in Warwick, where she has recently joined the sales time, which ties in with her current studies of Livestock Nutrition at the University of New England.

She said an involvement with livestock from a young age prompted her to take a keen interest in the show.

"My involvement started when I was younger,” she said. "I'm originally from Stanthorpe, but came to board at Scots PGC, and have lived in Warwick ever since.

"We would show cattle when I went there.”

A wealth of experience not only in Warwick, but across the Darling Downs, served to hold Miss Mills in good stead for the category.

"I've been competing at shows and showing cattle for 15 years,” she said.

"I've always been involved with local shows in the Darling Downs, and helped out the cattle section for three years.

"It was really great. I was surprised to win, but it was a great experience. It was good to get out and experience different sections of the show.

"Normally you don't venture out of the section you're mainly involved in, but I got the chance to help with sheep, see different exhibitors and meet new people.”

The historic nature, as well as the community nature of the event, serve as important parts of the show for Miss Mills.

"I think the show is so important because it brings rural people together,” she said. "It is a good way to exhibit livestock, as well as introduce different breeds and genetics to improve cattle.”

Showgirl coordinator Angela Hamilton said the additions were due to sustained interest from those not old enough to previously enter.

"For this first time we will have a junior and teen showgirl category,” Mrs Hamilton said.

"The juniors will range from 12-14 years, whilst the teens consist of 15-17 year olds.

"We've received previous interest from girls who wanted to get involved but weren't old enough, so we're hoping they enter.

"We've opened nominations a bit earlier this year to get in before Christmas and get people thinking about it, as well as beginning fundraising if they would like to.

"This year there will still be a judging afternoon and evening, however the showgirl winners will be crowned at the grand entry of the Warwick Show.”