EKKA visitors are set to experience a whole new experience at this year’s Royal Queensland Show with a world first new animal pavilion, new indoor arena for the iconic woodchop competition and a digital experience like no other.
As the countdown to the Ekka – which is on August 10-19 – began at the show’s official launch in Brisbane this morning, RNA chief executive Brendan Christou said the show wanted to deliver an on ground experience like no other.
“The heart and soul of the Ekka lies in agriculture and our competition traditions – it’s what makes coming to the show such a unique experience,” Mr Christou said.
“There’s nothing else like the Ekka, you cannot see 10,000 animals or witness competitions which date back to our first show in 1876 anywhere else.
“That’s why we have invested in building a new home for large and small breeds during the show – The CRT Pavilion, plus giving woodchop a brand new all-weather indoor arena experience.”
Mr Christou said the pavilion was part of stage three of the RNA’s Brisbane Showgrounds Regeneration Project and a building Ekka exhibitors have been waiting for.
“It is the only building of its kind in the world and has been specially designed to house animals during Ekka and act as an events space and car park facility outside of show – with all revenue invested back into the Ekka.”
“This year, the ground and first floor will be home to beef and dairy cattle, poultry and dairy goats – another two football fields of space where you can see animals at the show.
“We have made a major investment in our charter which is to champion and celebrate agriculture; the pavilion will be in full use at the 2019 show – offering four football fields of space to see animals.”
The new Woodchop Arena is located at the Bowen Bridge Road end of Sideshow Alley and it has been expanded by 50 per cent.
Mr Christou said it was a fantastic all weather indoor space that will make woodchop one of the most entertaining arenas at show.
“It is part of our redevelopment and a major investment in the traditions of show,” he said.
With Ekka just 36 days away, Mr Christou said the RNA had dropped the prices of its most popular tickets. The gate price for a family ticket has dropped from $89 to $80 and is cheaper to buy online where there are discounts on offer, he said.
Almost 31 million people have come through the gates since the first Ekka in 1876 - this year about 400,000 are expected to flock to the state’s largest annual event.
This year’s show will feature brand new world class entertainment including a jam-packed night show, the return of the early children’s fireworks, plus the spectacular fireworks finale, 10,000 animals, 21,000 competition entries and brand new award winning food and wine precincts.