20ten Shows

Although the organisers of each Show might argue to the contrary, one could hypothesise that they are all the same, seen one-seen them all. Sideshows, rides, show-bags, fatty or sugary foods, the range of overpriced items on which a visitor can spend copious amounts of money are endless.

Royal Shows are so much more than the amusements. Name a farm animal are there is sure to be a best-of-breed competition, there are also competitions for primary producers and growers as well as cooking and handicrafts. My favourite as a child was always the preserved fruit mainly because I could not understand the art of placing old boiled fruit in a jar (and I still don’t) maybe it has something to do with the cloth doily used to cover the lid.

Corporate displays, once limited to farm machinery, chemicals and technology now has no bounds. If you are planning a major purchase for the car, home or holiday you may just find a “Show-special” bargain.

Each year there will be a “cool” novelty item – a must buy item for every visitor under the age of 30 whether it be a Dr Seuss style hat, an invisible dog or an inflatable, oversized hammer you can be sure it will be banished to the back room within minutes of returning home. And so it should.

10 SHOWS IN 2010

ACTEWAGL Royal Canberra Show
www.rncas.org.au/showwebsite
26-28 February
Exhibition Park, Flemington Road Mitchell

Albury Show
www.alburyshow.com.au
29-31 October
Showground, Mate Street Albury

Kalgoorlie Boulder Community Fair
www.kalgoorlie-boulderfair.asn.au
19-20 March
Cruishank Sports Arena, Federal Road Boulder

Perth Royal Show
www.perthroyalshow.com.au
25 September – 2 october
Claremont Showgrounds, Graylands Road Claremont

Royal Adelaide Show
www.theshow.com.au
3-10 September
Adelaide Showground, Goodwood Road Wayville.

Royal Darwin Show
www.darwinshow.com.au
22-24 July (TBC)
Darwin Showgrounds and Exhibition Centre, Sturt Highway Winnellie

Royal Hobart Show
www.hobartshowground.com.au/show
21-24 October
Royal Hobart Show Ground, 2 Howard Road, Glenorchy

Royal Melbourne Show
www.royalshow.com.au
18-28 September
Royal Melbourne Show Grounds, Epsom Road Ascot Vale

Royal Queensland Show: Ekka
www.ekka.com.au
5-14 August
RNA Showgrounds, 600 Gregory Terrace Bowen Hills

Sydney Royal East Show
www.eastershow.com.au
1-14 April
Sydney Showground, Olympic Boulevard Sydney Olympic Park