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Published: August 10th 2007
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Dagwood Dog
International Ekka Symbol THE EKKA
Slang for "Exhibition" as many years ago it was all about exhibits etc...
but now its all about FUN FUN FUN..
and of course charging you a fortune to do so!! But as a family tradition ( I would say we have been every year of our lives give or take a few).... we HAD to attend... even during a so called Flu and vomiting bug epidemic here in Brissy...
So here are the real facts ....
For over 130 years The Royal National Agricultural and Industrial Association of Queensland (RNA) has worked to promote and encourage the development of the agricultural, industrial and cultural resources of Queensland.
The RNA owns and operates the RNA Showgrounds at Bowen Hills, Brisbane, and stages the Royal Queensland Show - the 'Ekka'.
On 13 August 1875 a group of colonists met at the Brisbane Town Hall to form the National Agricultural and Industrial Association of Queensland. The Association’s Charter, with Governor Sir William Cairns as its President, was to promote and encourage the agricultural and industrial development of Queensland; as well as provide a unique opportunity for country and urban residents to come together in a celebration of Queensland lifestyle.
The First Show
The ‘Intercolonial Exhibition of 1876’, held from 22 - 26 August, proved a triumph beyond all expectation. A public holiday was declared, and on opening day, 17,000 people attended - a great feat at a time when the total population of Brisbane was only 22,000. Men attended in their suits and ladies in their finest garments. Food was served on long tables and the first showbag - a bag of coal - was free for all visitors.
The first ‘Royal’ Show was held in 1921, when the Association was granted the prefix under warrant from His Majesty King George V. Since then, the shortened name ‘Ekka’ has replaced ‘Exhibition’ in the Queensland vernacular, indicating locals’ affection for our annual Show. Today the Ekka runs for ten days and attracts over half a million visitors every August, keen to experience the Show’s unique mix of entertainment, agriculture and education.
And so we find ourselves at the show.
We bought discounted tickets through RACQ which saved us a few dollars. As soon as we hit the gates we started on the pilgrimage for all the things that typify The EKKA. A ride in Sideshow alley, a walk in the Showbag pavillion, a Strawberry Sundae cone (proceeds going to the Prince Charles Hospital), a journey through the Animal Farm, a Dagwood Dog for lunch, a look through the fruit displays, a Ferris Wheel ride, a go on the clowns, purchase of Fairy Floss (cotton candy), one last look at the cows and a home we go.
Ferris Wheel
International Ekka Symbol A trip to the Ekka in a nutshell..
or the long version here:
The older two girls and I and Grandma decided to go to the show on the first day. On the first day the main groups of people that go are : school groups, disabled groups, old people and those of us that like the lesser amount of people. There are no fireworks or night time program on the first day so perfect for us with small children.
When we first arrived there were people handing out free packages of wipes/wet ones. This is the RNA's attempt at helping people to stop picking up germs during this bad time of flu and vomiting bug going around. We were targeted because we had children and recieved two packets. This is also PR work as many people are not going/boycotting the EKKA as with many people in the one place it is a breeding ground for germs. Because we arrived early there were very few people inside the EKKA. This meant that as we walked down Sideshow Alley that every Carnie asked us to have a go of their game: Clowns, Basketball, Knock over, Pull a String,
Strawberry Sundae Cone
International Ekka Symbol Fishing, Shooting, Dart at a Balloon - you name it. So we quickly developed the eyes averted, ignore all the pleas from the Carnie's and keep moving walk.
Having made it through, we see some familiar looking people and cars milling around. We look closer and see that it is the Anchors/newsreaders from the TODAY morning show. Yes Carl and Lisa. We tried to get a photo but it wss blurred and didn't work out after their car dashed off. So we were less than 20 metres from someone famous... I do believe that is our first time!! With the TV identities moved on the girls hopped onto a Waterboat Dodgems ride. They had wanted to go on the real one, but i thought that might be a little too dangerous and I would have had to ride with one/both of them thus having to go on twice (too expensive). The kiddies version was really fun and they got to drive little boats around in a pond of water.
We then walked around the Showbag pavillion. As a child my siblings and I would spend hours perusing the Showbag guide from the newspaper. Reseaching all our options, best
Bertie Beetle
International Ekka Symbol value or just our favourite toys or chocolates/lollies. As an adult it seems that very few are actually value for money and Grandma and I talked the girls out of some that really didn't have anything good in them, but were appealing to their young minds and hearts!! We weren't too much of party poopers and allowed them to buy some and even bought one or to ourselves. We also bought the famous Strawberry Sundae cones. Since dad works at the Prince Charles Hospital we HAVE to buy them! The money goes to the hospital, so you know your $4 is going somewhere worthwhile I suppose.
We then had a nice time with all the baby animals. You can go in and pat, feed and take photos of the animals. We got a little cup of food and as soon as we walked in were attacked by greedy sheep and goats. I told the girls to put their arm in the air with the food. They were a little scared but were able to walk through. The cup ended up on the ground at one stage with two goats fighting over it. I was able to retrieve the cup
Clowns
International Ekka Symbol the few times it went AWOL. We were able to pat lambs, llamas, sheep, goats, chickens and a calf. Their were piglet, chicks and horses to see in inclosures. The girls didn't want to leave it was so much fun. We then had DAGWOOD DOGS for lunch. We only eat these at the EKKA and I enjoyed mine very much!! Once a year... I'm now waiting for next year 😉
After lunch we looked at the fruit displays. They were pretty awesome this year. High Schools and Country Associations can make a display for the competition. There were butterflies, flowers, snails, etc made out of fruit. The fruit area is also where you can taste test honey, so we had a few tries of that. The tea tree honey was quite strong.
We ended our day with a ride on the Ferris Wheel. My mum has a connection with one of the operators so had a catch up with him, find out all the family goss etc. We then rode the Ferris Wheel. It didn't seem as scarey this year as other years as there were few people on it (Now $7 a ticket!! yikes) so it did
Cows
International Ekka Symbol not stop and start alot leaving you dangling at the top for a long time! It was a good view and we went around a lot of times (maybe you get more goes around for the increased price?) and the girls had a grand ol' time. There is also a 'new' ferris wheel. It has enclosed glassed/plastic seating like the London Eye. We did not go on that one, so I am not sure of the price, maybe the new one will impact on the old one. Since we knew one of the workers we had to patronize their Ferris Wheel.
So the sun sets on another year of the Ekka for us. We buy a bubble machine as we leave. The guy says same price as a showbag, yet last a lot longer... well not in our house... we had to find batteries for the thing, a screwdriver to open the dang thing then they used it all up in one hour! Oh well they had fun doing it.
The Ekka will go for another 10 days, with fireworks and entertainment... maybe we will see that next year... Maybe I will go by myself and see all
Showbags
International Ekka Symbol the things I missed...
Kids just don't have much patience do they?
I know because I just spent 5 hours at the Ekka with them!
Enjoy the photos - they go over to page 2
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