The Sydney Royal Easter Show kicks off today. Here's what to ...
The Sydney Royal Easter Show opens its gates today, with smaller-than-usual crowds expected as the program falls during school term.
Organisers still predict more than 820,000 people will pass through the gates at Sydney Olympic Park during the 12-day festival.
Despite the timing, organisers say they've had record numbers of entries in many of the show's agricultural competitions, bringing the focus back to its roots.
"If anything, we've gone bigger this year," Murray Wilton from the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW said.
"Of course, from a budgetary perspective, we made note of that 12 months ago and realised that it was going to be a non-school holiday show, but our competitors have turned out in droves."
He said the show also offered value for families struggling with the high cost of living.
"The show's a great deal … once you get inside, there's 12 hours of free entertainment," Mr Wilton said.
"If you want to pack a lunch, pack a lunch, sit up on Cathy Freeman Park, enjoy what we've displayed here, which is the best agricultural displays in the country."
Show takes an educational focus with school time programGiven the timing of the show, the event is expecting to see more school excursions, and fewer weekday family groups.
James Kemp, the operator of the Farmyard Friends animal nursery, said exposing students to agriculture was "vital".
"No farmers, no food as they say but I think it's great that people can come down here and they can actually ask us some questions," Mr Kemp said.
Over at the stadium, rodeo showman Dave Manchon, who'll be wrangling a herd of bison this year, also welcomed the show taking more of an educational focus.
"We want to encourage more kids to have more conversations about the outback," he said.
"Whether they go away and talk about a horse they saw that might have inspired them, or a steer or a bison or a cowboy or a cowgirl."
For the first time in the show's history, it'll host international women's woodchopping championship events.
For Jenaya Shadlow from the Hawkesbury region, that's an opportunity to take a swing with some tough competitors.
"It's good for us to be able to compete on those levels and to get everyone from around the world to come here to compete," Ms Shadlow said.
Meanwhile, over at the sheep judging shed, high school student Elizabeth Sutton is enjoying her seventh year showing sheep.
"It's wonderful because you see the community come together and it's really nice just to be able to be in the presence of other people and learn what they do," the 17-year-old said.
The colourful show will be held over 12 days. (ABC News: Sean Tarek Goodwin)
The spectacle of the Easter Show includes floats, fancy dress and acrobats. (ABC News: Sean Tarek Goodwin)
Judges will determine the best fleece, agricultural animals and even largest pumpkin at the Show. (ABC News: Sean Tarek Goodwin)
More students are expected to attend due to the event's timing in the school term. (ABC News: Sean Tarek Goodwin)
Elizabeth Sutton said the annual event helps to bring the bring the community together. (ABC News: Sean Tarek Goodwin)
Families are in shorter supply this year as the Show falls outside of the school holidays. (ABC News: Sean Tarek Goodwin)
More than 800,000 people are expected to attend at the Sydney Olympic Park site. (ABC News: Sean Tarek Goodwin)
Posted 6 hours agoThu 21 Mar 2024 at 6:14pm, updated 1 hours agoFri 22 Mar 2024 at 12:04am
