In 1983, Lae was isolated by floods, in 1991 law and order problems caused a curfew to be imposed from 6 am to 6 pm and in 2009 an outbreak of cholera in the province made it unwise to have a large gathering of people.

Mrs. Flora Shaw Stewart (1886–1979) was a founding member of the Morobe Agricultural Society and would often lead the grand parades at annual shows.

[7] In 1968, the University of Technology relocated from Port Moresby to Lae and during the process students had to be housed in temporary accommodation at the showgrounds.

[8] In 1983 and 1992, major floods devastated the region with relief operations described as haphazard, unsystematic and often uncoordinated.

The initial response by the provincial disaster committee was to evacuate the victims immediately to temporary care centres at the Lae show grounds and Igam Army Barracks.