Royal Hobart Show gets go ahead to run under Covid safe measure

The Royal Agricultural Society of Tasmania has advised that the Royal Hobart Show will go ahead from 20th to 23rd October this year, with crowd restriction measures imposed by the Tasmanian Department of Health.

Notwithstanding, the Show being operated in distinct sessions this year as a COVIDSafe measure, with each session capped at 5,000 showgoers, the Show is already attracting community support with online ticket sales at this stage two times higher than the rate of the last Show, in 2019, and three times the rate of 2018.

The Show sessions will see one, day-long session on Wednesday 20th October, while Thursday will consist of a morning and afternoon session with the day extended until 7pm.

Friday will consist of two sessions with the second session stretching into the evening for the traditional fireworks and Saturday will consist of one day-long session.

The Royal Agricultural Society of Tasmania (RAST) has advised that it is “encouraging (to see) Showgoers to purchase their tickets online, rather than waiting until they arrive at the gate” noting that “this will minimise queuing at the entrances to the Showground.”

As an incentive to purchase online, early bird discounts for online tickets have been extended, whereas full price will be charged at the Showground gates.

When purchasing tickets, Showgoers will need to nominate which session they will attend. They will also need to use the usual Check-in Tas QR code when they enter the Showground.

In addition, due to Tasmanian Government requirements recently announced for all Tasmanian events, masks must be worn at the Show for the protection of staff and the public.

Looking forward to the Show but emphasising the need for visitors to maintain COVIDSafe protocols,

RAST Chief Executive, Scott Gadd stated “we’re asking people to bring their own masks, but in case someone forgets we will have a limited supply of masks available at the Showground.”

Advising that RAST has purchased 40 hand sanitising stations to complement hand washing facilities already at the Showground, Gadd added “we’re tremendously excited to be mounting this year’s Show - a celebration of 200 years of agricultural showing in Hobart.

“We’re grateful to the Premier and Deputy Premier for their efforts to assist the Show to proceed after the Health Department imposed its crowd cap.”

In recognition that the crowd cap limits the financial ability of the event to achieve viability, the Tasmanian Government has compensated the Society with a $250,000 contribution to assist the Show to proceed.

Image: Woodchopping at the Royal Hobart Show. Credit: Royal Agricultural Society of Tasmania.