EASTER SHOW 2012 – ALL YOU NEED TO NOW
IT began as a market store at Parramatta in 1823, when farmers from across the state gathered to sell their animals and compete for ribbons – and bragging rights.
Today, the Sydney Royal Easter Show has evolved from those humble beginnings to become the largest annual event in the southern hemisphere, attracting almost one million visitors each year. Royal Agricultural Society heritage centre manager Karen Finch said the vegetable and livestock contests were established in 1823 to improve breeding throughout the colony.
In the early years, the competitions were predominantly for horses and cattle but it has since grown into a chance to showcase 14,000 animals, including rats, rabbits, reptiles and goats.
The show’s first days were tough. Drought and a lack of organisation stopped the competition from the 1830s until 1869, when it was re-established at Prince Alfred Park with animals, fruit, vegetables and arts and crafts.
A decade later a concept for the district exhibits was mooted but it wasn’t until 1900 that the now popular agricultural display was showcased.
Rising rents forced the show to relocate to Moore Park in 1882 – and just under two decades later the fun arrived. The first ride was a two-carriage car that had a top speed of 50km/h, while showbags began as samples from exhibitors. The show went on during WWI but not surprisingly attendance numbers dropped.
It was closed during WWII. Just 20 years later sideshow alley was created, where curious visitors could leer at freak shows that included the world’s tallest man, shortest man, a hairy woman and siamese (conjoined) twins.
The voyeuristic exhibits were banned in 1954. That same year Queen Elizabeth and her husband Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, attended.
A subsequent brush with royalty came in 1988 when the Queen’s daughter Princess Ann visited. In more recent years celebrities including Keith Urban, Nicole Kidman and Elle Macpherson have brought their children to experience the thrills and spills.
In 1998 it was relocated to Sydney Olympic Park, which is where the show will kick off tomorrow with more rides, showbags and animals than ever before.
This year also celebrates 50 years of showgirls, which is no ordinary beauty pageant – winners are judged on their passion for the land and knowledge of rural affairs.
“The difference these days is that women are more educated and worldly,” Ms Finch said. She added that the show concept had not changed over the years and was true to its original idea of bringing the country to the city as well as improving breeding standards through competitions.
“It promotes agriculture’s best and still serves its purpose of bringing country people together,” she said.
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