Extended Royal Adelaide Show to mark Show Society's 175th anniversary

The Royal Agricultural & Horticultural Society (RA&HS) will celebrate its 175th anniversary this year by extending the Royal Adelaide Show by one day.

Traditionally starting on the first Friday in September and running for nine days until the following Saturday, the 2014 Show will begin on Friday 5th September and end on Sunday 14th September, meaning show-goers will have two full weekends to enjoy the event.

A 175th birthday party, complete with special guests, free games and the release of a commemorative souvenir available only on the last Sunday, is also being planned while anyone who attends the Show in the first nine days will be able to come back on the last Sunday, the tenth day, for a discounted entry.

Explaining the anniversary extension RA&HS President Richard Fewster said extending the Royal Show by one day would ensure more people could attend the event without the experience being compromised by overcrowding.

Fewster stated "in recent years the weekends have been the busiest days at the Show by far - for example, the Saturday/Sunday of the Show this year attracted almost 150,000 people.

"The extra Sunday will also help ensure we can cater for the extra numbers expected in 2014 due to the Society's 175th anniversary."

All areas of the Show, including animal exhibits, commercial exhibitors, entertainment, showbags and the carnival area will operate for the full ten days.

According to Fewster, research conducted during the 2013 Royal Show found that over 80% of existing and potential show-goers were in support of the Show incorporating two full weekends.

He added "if the incorporation of the extra Sunday in 2014 is a success then we may consider extending the dates permanently."

Fewster said the move to a ten-day Royal Show would also benefit those South Australian couples who were expecting a baby in early to mid-September next year, with the RA&HS awarding Royal Show Life Membership to all babies born in South Australia during next year's Show.

He concluded "this means that babies born during the now ten-day 2014 Royal Show can attend for the rest of their lives for free.

"The initiative is a great way for the Society to thank the people of South Australia for their support over the past 175 years, and we can't wait to present the estimated 500-plus babies who will be born during the 2014 Royal Adelaide Show with this special gift."

Established in 1839, the RA&HS is South Australia's oldest community organisation. Today, the Royal Adelaide Show is the largest in Australia in terms of per capita attendance, second largest in competitive entries received, and regularly attracts 40% of the State's population.

Other special activities planned for the RA&HS 175th include the launch of the Society's official history book in March and a gala celebration on 26th July.