President Mark Stewart made the announcement at the Nowra Showground on Friday morning (January 17) and said despite a number of local shows being cancelled, after consultation with key stakeholders, including the local Rural Fire Service the 144th Nowra Show would go ahead.

"We just saw having the show as free entry as a way of getting the community together," he said.

"To run the show comes at a cost. As a free show we want to recognise the tireless efforts of our Rural Fire Service volunteers and emergency services during this bushfire and we want to bring the community together.

"Everyone has been affected by these fires in some way, either losing property or homes, or knowing someone who has.

"On top of that this emergency hit us at our peak time on the South Coast, devastating many businesses.

"Not only do we want the local community to come back but the show is for visitors to come back to the Coast, we are open for business."

Meanwhile, if you are looking for a way to support a fire fundraiser, a group of teenagers are holding a market in Egans Lane, Nowra this Saturday, January 18.

Around 20 local young Changemakers have banded together to hold the market with stalls with food, homemade goods and live music from 9am-11am.

All the money raised going towards three fire relief organisations - the Shoalhaven Mayoral Relief Fund, Wildlife Rescue South Coast Inc. and Greening Australia.