By David Russell
It’s Show time! To South Australians the Royal Adelaide Show is more than an event with rides and show bags. It’s an institution that touches just about every person in the state.
Each year the Show forms childhood memories that last a lifetime, it celebrates the best produce and livestock from across the state and it has a whooping $183 million economic impact.
There have been more Royal Shows in Adelaide than anywhere else in the world, and each year more than half-a-million people walk through the gates, making it the best-visited Show in Australia on a per capita basis.
What makes it so successful? Show General Manager Michelle Hocking says the broad appeal of the Royal Adelaide Show is key.
“The event mix of animals, displays, food, show bags, carnival and entertainment appeals to all people no matter their age or gender,” Michelle told Inside South Australia.
“Generations of South Australians attend the Show each year, it’s South Australia’s longest running and largest community event.”
The Show’s competitions are also a strong drawcard, according to Michelle.
“The Royal Adelaide Show is known amongst the competitive exhibitors as the ‘friendly-Show’,” she said.
“This year (we have) the second highest number of competitive entries in 240 Adelaide Shows.”
New this year is world-class entertainment on the Goyder stage, including Magical Gift of Mother Earth and the Treble Men, new carnival rides and a Miniature Goat competition that will melt your heart.
Here’s Michelle’s top five must-sees for the 2015 Royal Adelaide Show:
- The wonderful displays of flowers, cake decorating, art, photography, quilting and more in the Goyder pavilion
- Magical Gift of Mother Earth on the Goyder Stage
- The Treble Men, also on the Goyder Stage
- The TasteSA Pavilion for an amazing array of South Australian producers of wine and food
- Tea and Coffee at the CWA pavilion for some quiet and wholesome down time