Rival Event to Challenge Sydney Royal Easter Show

The annual Sydney Royal Easter Show has a rival this year in the form of a smaller, free event at Moore Park's Entertainment Quarter.
The Sydney Family Show, to be held at the former home of the Royal Easter Show, in the first two weeks of April coincides with the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW's established event. It will feaure amusement rides, petting zoos and showbags but will not include agricultural displays or competitions.
By contrast to the Easter Show, where family tickets cost $93.50, there will be no entry charge for the Moore Park event - although rides will be charged.
The Royal Agricultural Society of NSW (RASNSW) is sensitive about the competition and has taken legal action to stop its rival using 'Easter'' in its title.
The Sydney Morning Herald reported that the new show was originally called the 'Family Easter Show'', but RASNSW lawyers wrote to its operator, OFA Showstar, last month demanding that it ''immediately discontinue and forever refrain from using either the terms 'Easter Show' or 'Show', '' in relation to staging this or any other events during the Easter period."
The lawyers also questioned whether the new event was a show at all, given that it would not involve produce or livestock displays.
The Sydney Morning Herald reported that OFA Showstar removed 'Easter' from the title but refused to buckle on ''show'', their lawyers telling the RASNSW that "the word show is used widely in the community ⦠we would reject any assertion by you that our client is not entitled to use the word show to promote its event.''
Some big-brand showbag companies that supply the Royal Easter Show and other independent shows have refused to supply the Sydney Family Show.
A spokesperson for the RASNSW, which is a not-for-profit organisation, said it was satisfied with its rival's change of name and that tickets for the Royal Easter Show were good value, given that if offered 12 hours of entertainment each day.