Big opening weekend of Ekka action

The 2011 Royal Queensland Show opened on Thursday (11th August) and is expected to welcome more than 400,000 people through the gates of the Ekka over its 10 day run.

RNA Chief Executive Jonathan Tunny said the Ekka was a remarkable event steeped in tradition stating "it is our most loved yearly event, a true city country get together unlike any other which is why it has formed such a rich part of our state's cultural and social heritage since 1876."

Now in its 134th year, the 2011 Ekka features an amazing line up of entertainment including performances by Grammy and ARIA award winners, a culinary heaven including some of the nation's finest food and wine, Australian first technology, about 23,000 competition entries, plus 10,000 animals.

Tunny said the Ekka also offers unbeatable value with the average visitor spending seven and half hours at the show which equates to just $3.50 an hour, adding "we are committed to keeping the Ekka affordable for everyone, that's why we encourage families to bring their own food and drinks and enjoy lunch and dinner in our chill out zones.

"The Ekka is the people's show, it offers hundreds of free activities to choose from each day including fashion parades, concerts, competitions, food and wine sampling, free kids shows plus the two hour night time entertainment program."

This year's Ekka has launched an iPhone app, which visitors can download free-of-charge from iTunes, while new rides on Sideshow Alley include Disk-O, Extreme, Giant Wheel and the family-friendly Jurassic ride.

TheTriple M Showbag Pavilion is offering 331 showbags, including 63 new showbags this year, from its new location in a purpose-built $1.3 million facility in the sideshow alley entertainment precinct.

The Industrial Pavilion, the traditional location for the Ekka's showbags, is currently undergoing a $59 million facelift as part of the first stage of the 15-year $2.9 billion regeneration of the RNA showgrounds into a residential, commercial and retail precinct.

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh recently explained that the refurbishment of the Industrial Pavilion is "a historic moment for the Ekka - after more than 70 years it's desperately in need of a facelift."

The RNA showground redevelopment is the largest urban renewal project in Queensland and involves 340,000 metres2 of new residential, commercial and retail development on a 5.5 hectares area around the extremities of the showground, together with 76,000 metres2 within the 22 hectare showground site.

The new convention and exhibition centre will open its doors to showbag lovers in 2012.

It will feature a large hall, a public car park of up to 280 spaces, commercial kitchen, meeting and board rooms and the RNA's new office.

The RNA showground redevelopment is featured in the July/August 2011 issue of Australasian Leisure Management.

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