The Royal Queensland Show has a long history. The inaugural event, named the Intercolonial Exhibition, was held from August 22 to 26, 1876. It is estimated that between 15,000 and 17,000 people attended, which was very impressive taking into account that Brisbane’s entire population was only 20,600 at the time. The show featured more than 1,000 exhibits. Locals have described the first exhibition as the most important event in Queensland’s history since its separation from New South Wales in 1859.
In 1920, Edward, Prince of Wales (future King Edward VIII) visited the Brisbane Exhibition and granted permission to rename the organizing association the Royal National Agricultural and Industrial Association of Queensland. The show has been visited by other members of the royal family as well: Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip visited in 1954, and Princess Alexandra of Kent visited in 1959.
The Ekka originated as an agricultural show that showcased agricultural and industrial exhibits, including various devices and farm animals. While it remains an agricultural and industrial exhibition, the program has expanded significantly over the decades to include other attractions.
Some of the Ekka’s main attractions include food stalls, amusement rides, a Side Show Alley, equestrian events, and various competitions ranging from wood chopping to cake decorating. There are also animal parades, an animal nursery with approximately 500 baby animals, marching bands, live concerts, poetry performances, DJ sets, truck shows, and fireworks displays, which have been an integral part of the show since 1894. There is something for everyone here!
The Ekka is also famous for its showbags. The tradition began at the first exhibition, when attendees received bags of coal as gifts. Today, showbags typically contain food and merchandise provided by various companies. Unlike the original coal bags, which were given away for free, showbags are sold at prices ranging from $1-$2 to over $100. However, their retail price is always lower than the total cost of the merchandise inside.
The Ekka typically begins on the first or second Friday in August and lasts ten days. Due to the event’s cultural significance, the Wednesday after the Ekka begins is a public holiday in the Brisbane area known as People’s Day.
One of Australia’s largest events, the Ekka welcomes 21,000 competition entries, 10,000 farm animals, and 400,000 visitors each year. The exhibition takes place at the Brisbane Showgrounds, covering 22 hectares. Due to its large attendance, the Ekka raises around $100 million in revenue.
Since its inception, the Ekka has been canceled four times: in 1919 due to the Great Influenza pandemic, in 1942 due to World War II, and in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Ekka will also not take place in 2032 due to the Brisbane Olympics, which are scheduled from July 23 to August 8 of that year.
Photo: ekka.com.au
