The first Warwick Show was held on 12th September 1867 and was run by the Eastern Downs Horticultural and Agricultural Association.  The object of the committee was to promote the development of agricultural, pastoral, horticultural, mineral and industrial resources of the District.  For this purpose, it was proposed to hold a Show in Warwick each year for the display of all types of livestock, agricultural produce of all kinds, wool, minerals and machinery, together with such objects of manufacture, produce or the arts, as may seem desirable.

 On 29 November 1962 the Eastern Downs Horticultural and Agricultural Association became the Warwick Show and Rodeo Society Inc.  The Society is controlled by a Management Committee of fourteen elected members.  There are one hundred and eighty (180) life members and six hundred (600) family and single members of the Warwick Show and Rodeo Society.  It is the duty of the Management Committee to handle the affairs of the Society and make decisions relating to the running of the Show each year.  The Management Committee is assisted by a Show Committee made up of a Show Chairman and other interested parties. 

Up to 1982 the showgrounds was a total of twenty-three (23) acres.  In 1982, to accommodate the growth of the Show, a further sixteen (16) acres was bought.  Today the Society also has a lease on five (5) acres of land on the eastern side of the showgrounds, this being the only area available adjacent to the showgrounds.  As the Warwick Show has grown, there has been a need to reorganise the grounds to allow room for expansion of sections.  This has meant that some sections have had to operate on alternate days so the same area could be utilised by more than one section.

Community involvement plays a large part in the success of the Show.  Up to three hundred (300) volunteers are needed to run the twenty-seven (27) sections.  Each section has a Chief Steward to guide the volunteers.   The local Lions Club and Rotary Sunrise Club are given the opportunity to raise funds for charity by being paid to man the gates during the Show.  Whenever possible the opportunity is given to clubs, such as the Eastern Suburbs Junior Rugby League Club, to quote on any paid work that needs to be done. 

Our volunteer catering co-ordinator ensures that the volunteers on the grounds during the event do not go hungry.  Breakfast, lunch and morning and afternoon tea is provided free of charge for anyone involved in the running of the Show.

Much emphasis is put on procuring entertainment from the community.  Local schools, clubs and bands feature in the night ring program and perform on the Community Stage during the day.  A local school equestrian group performed a quadrille at the 2005 Warwick Show night program and was subsequently invited to perform at the RNA Show in Brisbane the same year.  Competitions such as Sheaf Throwing, Dog Jumping, Primary Schools Anything Goes Relay and the Chairman's Relay encourage locals to get involved and provide entertainment for friends and relatives.   In 2006 the Demolition Derby featured drivers and vehicles representing Crime Stoppers and display sites were supplied free of charge to the Fire Department, Police Department and RAAF.

 In consultation with the Warwick Shire Council through the Mayor, Mr Ron Bellingham, the Community Stage was introduced in 2006 to showcase local talent and provide a training ground for up and coming entertainers, young and mature age.   Belly dancers, School bands, the Scots PGC Pantomime and the Bagpipe band were all attractions this year.

The Pavilion area which includes cooking, needlework, painting and drawing, photography, schools, scrapbooking, horticulture and floral art, woodworking and lapidary has seen increased entries over recent years, to the point that the Douglas Feez Pavilion is now solely for the display of these items. 

 Every section of the Show has at least one (1) children's class to encourage our young people to have pride in their workmanship and strive to be the best he/she can be.

Many businesses in Warwick and surrounding area sponsor sections, both financially and in kind, at the Warwick Show each year.  Warwick being a rural district, the local community is well aware of the participation of the businesses and clubs which support the Warwick Show. 

A Warwick Showgirl Quest is held each year and the Miss Warwick Showgirl is crowned two (2) weeks before the Show.  Our Showgirl then goes on to represent Warwick at Darling Downs level and if successful goes on to the Queensland judging at the RNA Show in Brisbane.  In 2005 our Warwick Showgirl reached RNA level and was voted Miss Popularity.  The quest is an opportunity for young ladies to gain invaluable experience in public speaking and deportment.

The success of the Warwick Show is not based on the number of people who pay to enter the grounds.  It is however based on the number of entries received in each of the sections.  The more entries received and the more sections created, the greater involvement by the community and therefore a greater showcase for the community.