Events | Brisbane
Australia Day Fireworks
January 26, 2017
5 fun things to do at Ekka 2018
Blog
With a rich history of almost 150 years, the Royal Queensland Show AKA The Ekka, is Queensland’s largest annual event, and a rite of passage for most Queenslanders. Once you’re through the gates, there’s a smorgasbord of activities that guarantee a fun time out, and here are ‘5 fun things’ for an authentic Ekka experience.
1. VISIT SIDESHOW ALLEY
More than 100 years ago, Sideshow Alley was an actual sideshow, home to freaks of nature, individuals performing superhuman feats of strength, and illusionists. These days, it hosts a wide variety of rides to suit adrenaline junkies and families alike, with 100 rides and games to keep anyone entertained for hours.
2. PLAY WITH THE ANIMALS
If you want to walk and talk with the animals, the Animal Pavilions and Animal Nurseries are the places to go and get up close and personal with a range of creatures including sheep, cattle, goats, horses, poultry, fish, dogs, and even competition cats. Perhaps best of all, back for the first time since 2015, are the racing and diving pigs performing a 50m dash and jumping from a 2m diving platform five times a day.
3. GRAB A SHOWBAG
Showbags are another staple and favourite souvenir of the Ekka experience. There are more than 360 types of showbags, and a wide range including chocolates, lollies, chips, drinks, novelties, sports, movies, and a host of other categories too numerous to mention here. Prices range from $2 to around $30, so be wary of blowing your budget in the showbag pavilion. If you’re strapped for cash but want to get at least one showbag, get the Bertie Beetle bag, an old favourite.
4. EAT ALL THE FOOD!
The strawberry sundaes and dagwood dogs are almost as iconic as the Ekka itself, and these long standing traditions are so popular that 153,000 sundaes and 1185,000 dagwood dogs were eaten last year. But don’t worry Vegans or those with a more expansive palette, yes there’s those 2 classics, but there are plenty of food and drink offerings to suit your tastes, thousands of them in fact, from all over the globe in the stalls and Gourmet Plaza.
5. EXPERIENCE EKKANITES
The Ekkanites calendar promises spectators will be wowed by ‘spectacular never before seen night shows’ at this year’s Ekka. 6-8pm is a jam packed 2 hr action extravaganza featuring monster trucks, daring FMX riders, lights and laser shows, and a wild colonial wagon chase, culminating in two breathtaking fireworks displays at 6:05pm and again at 7:45pm.
The 2018 Ekka is being held from 10 – 19 August.
Go to the website for more information or ask one of the friendly front of house staff in your building: https://www.ekka.com.au/
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