Historic investment precedes 2014 Ekka

$2 million is being invested in free entertainment at this year’s Royal Queensland Show (Ekka) to ensure budget conscious families can enjoy the best value event of its kind and experience top-class Australian first entertainment.

Speaking at the official launch of the Queensland’s biggest annual event in Brisbane, Royal National Agricultural and Industrial Association of Queensland (RNA) Chief Executive Brendan Christou said it was the biggest investment the RNA had made in entertainment in its 138 year history.

Christou advised “we are committed to offering visitors an event they cannot experience anywhere else but also ensure it can be enjoyed on any budget.

“It’s about showcasing the best of the best, from entertainment to food, to competitions, we are dedicated to ensuring visitors can experience Queensland’s best on show.

“Our spectacular million dollar night program – EkkaNITES – is an Australian first production created just for the Ekka, you won’t see it anywhere else, it’s truly world-class and will feature more lasers, more water fountains and fireworks.”

Christou said it was imperative the Ekka stayed true to its traditions but at the same time reinvented its entertainment to keep in touch with ever changing demographics.

He explained “the heart and soul of the show will always be in our traditions, animals and competitions which continue to get stronger each year.

“Where the Ekka can reinvent itself to keep in touch with its audience is our entertainment around the grounds which is why we have heavily invested in it.

“A family of four spends on average, eight hours at the show which equates to $2 an hour per person; we feel that is unbeatable value.”

Christou said for the first time in Ekka’s history visitors could enjoy two full weekends of fun with the show opening on Friday 8th August and closing on Sunday 17th August. The night program will also run for the full 10 days of show.

Christou also announced the headline entertainment acts in store at this year’s show, concluding “our EkkaNITES night program has been created by the internationally renowned Jack Ellison and will feature Australia’s pop sensation Prinnie Stevens and country music superstar Troy Cassar-Daley.

“We also have the world record holder for fire-eating, the amazing illusionist Brendan Mon Tanner, and international celebrity mind reader Anthony Laye and an incredible extreme high diving show.

“For the kids the big drawcard undoubtedly will be Sesame Street and Friends, we’re thrilled to have characters from one of the world’s most loved and longest running television programs here at the show.”

2014 Royal Queensland Show highlights

Australian first million dollar night program, EkkaNITES, is not to be missed: Headline acts include Australian pop sensation Prinnie Stevens and country music legend Troy Cassar-Daley, the show will be produced once again by entertainment extraordinaire Jack Ellison and there will be a whole new design with more lasers, water fountains, fireworks, new routines, daring FMX riders and monster trucks. 

Non-stop entertainment: International celebrity mind reader Anthony Laye will unlock the minds of the Ekka audience while Brendan Mon Tanner, an illusionist and Guinness World Record holder for the fastest fire-eater, will stun the crowd. Australia’s ‘Houdini’ Arthur Coghlan, who is in his eighties will attempt a world record stunt while  world-class divers will display their mid-air talents at the Extreme High Dive Show before splashing into a tiny tank of water, right before the crowd.

Foodies paradise: Taste the world’s best steak at the Ekka’s fine dining restaurant, The Royal Queensland Steakhouse. The mouth-watering menu features gold medal winning beef and lamb as awarded in this year’s prestigious Royal Queensland Food and Wine Show. Don’t miss the amazing Woolworths Fresh Food Pavilion with more than 70 food vendors on offer, plus our celebrity chefs at the Royal Queensland Food and Wine Show Stage.

Ekka’s Country Music Showdown: This year the Ekka welcomes amateur country music artists who will be performing live to take out the top gong. The junior winner will receive the coveted Troy Cassar-Daley Ekka Junior Country Music Scholarship at the Tamworth Academy of Country Music and the prize for the open section will be a recording session in a recording studio.

For children: Don’t miss out when the world’s most loved stars visit Ekka in the Sesame Street Presents Elmo & Friends live stage show and keep an eye out for Timmie Time, Mr Potato Head, Dirt Girl, My Little Pony and many more of your favourite characters roving around the Ekka Grounds.

Competitions: The Ekka is unique in bringing more than 21,000 entries across 11,000 classes in 42 competition categories together to celebrate and showcase the best of the best. With a total prize pool of more than $500,000 there’s always Grand Champions being crowned around the grounds so consult your daily program to catch the blue ribbon being awarded.

CommBank Wrapped in Natural Fibres Fashion Parades: As one of the Ekka’s most iconic traditions the CommBank Wrapped in Natural Fibres Fashion Parades are a must see at this year’s show. Presented in the 80s and 90s to massive crowds, the Commonwealth Bank Cotton and Wool Parades thrilled audiences and firmly entrenched them as one of the top experiences at the Ekka.

Showbags and rides: Still an Ekka favourite, rides and showbags will be top of mind for many visiting the Ekka this year. There are more than 300 showbags and more than 40 rides to choose from across the showgrounds.

Animals: 10,000 animals over 10 days and just 1.5 kilometres from the CBD. Whether you’re a dog person, a cat person or even a duck person, there’s an animal around every Ekka corner waiting to steal the hearts of visitors.

Ticket bundles, which offer family savings of 30%, are available exclusively online at www.ekka.com.au until Ekka eve (7th August).

19th August 2013 - EKKA IGNITES TO BRING IN CROWDS OF MORE THAN 400,000