The parched Teviot Valley was in need of more rain, but the overnight downpour was very welcome, Mr Reid said on Saturday.
The sun shone on the 67th show at Roxburgh and entries were good and crowd numbers pleasing, he said, although no figures were available on the number of people who attended.
"It's a brilliant day and everything's gone swimmingly," he said.
"I hope today marks the start of better times and better weather for our town and country people alike."
The spirit of the community had been to the fore during the New Year's Day fire, he said.
"It's reassuring to know that, during an emergency, you have very good neighbours."
Attractions at this year's show included a pet parade, police dog display, a scavenger hunt and an agri-sport competition.
Central Otago Mayor Malcolm Macpherson had the difficult task of choosing a supreme winner from the 20 pets entered in the pet parade.
Dogs outnumbered the rest of the entries, but a few birds, guinea pigs, ponies and sheep completed the line-up.
Coal Creek girl Sarah Gunn (5) took top honours with her placid pet lamb Bobby.
Goat-shearing was also on the agenda for the day, with Dumbarton mohair goat breeder Bill Campbell generating much interest as he shore a hogget.
The fleece was worth about $50, with top mohair fetching $38 per kg, he said.
His goats are shorn twice a year, in August and in summer, and Mr Campbell was surprised more farmers were not diversifying into goats.
"There's a worldwide shortage of mohair.
Every year 50 million kg is produced, but there's a five million kg shortfall annually.
"The fibre goes to South Africa, where it is processed and sent out all over the world for a variety of uses. In Japan they use it for high-grade men's suits, for example."
"We're being told there's growing demand for the fibre. Mohair and merino wool are expected to be the most in-demand fibres on the world market for many years," he said.
Mr Campbell runs 500 goats on his property.
"I'm not here today to sell stock, but to promote the industry. A lot of farmers should be looking at mohair goats," he said.
