Sydney Royal Easter Show 2016 suffers further decline in visits

Attendance at the 2016 Sydney Royal Easter Show dipped below 750,000 for the first time in a generation, with the event affected by Easter not falling in the NSW school holidays.

The ongoing dip in visitor numbers from 769,000 attendees in 2015 (a 15 year low), contrasts with considerably higher visitor numbers earlier in the decade - with close to 900,000 people attended the 2010 and 2011 Shows.

Last year poor weather was blamed for visitor numbers declining to 810,000 - a figure later revised downwards - while in 2014, the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW (RASNSW) advised of “around 850,000 people” attending.

Reflecting declining visitor numbers at Royal and agricultural shows across the country, the event did celebrate the presentation of  almost 19,500 awards while a record 352 showbags were on offer. In the Carnival, the Kyle and Jackie O Haunted House, Star of the Show Ferris Wheel, TaipanRoller Coaster and Pirates Revenge proved popular with thrill seekers. The Super Slide also proved to be extremely popular with showgoers, with close to a quarter of a million people sliding down the colourful ride.

While ride use was encouraged with a wristband ticketing promotion, RASNSW PR Manager James Riordan advised that wider introduction of cashless payment systems were not adopted as “people prefer paying for their rides by cash.”

Putting a positive face to the Show, RASNSW Chief Executive, Michael Kenny, thanked people for coming to the Show, commenting "Sydneysiders have again embraced the Show, coming to learn about Australian agriculture, the hard work of our farmers and where our food and fibre comes from.”

In respect of attendances, Kenny added “we are pleased with the attendance given the Show did not fall within school holidays, especially over the Easter holiday weekend where crowds were the second highest they have been in the last 10 years.

“We’re already looking forward to a providing another big Show in 2017, where 12 of the 14 days will be within school holidays.”

Highlights of the 2016 Royal Easter Show included:

• 70,000 Junior Farm Hands Passports stamped
• 30,000 Junior Farm hands books given away
• More than 1,200 baby chicks hatched
• 10,000 children saying ‘G’day’ to a Farmer with a handwritten note
• 3,500 serves of Moroccan CousCous was made by children in Get Kids Cooking
• 250kgs of wheat and oats where milled by kids
• Over 40,000 cups of water handed out by Sydney water
• ½ tonne chunky Hereford beef for the Gourmet Beef pie.

The Show will run from Thursday 6th April to Wednesday 19th April in 2017.

18th March 2016 - UNLIMITED RIDES AND RECORD 352 SHOWBAGS ON OFFER AT 2016 SYDNEY ROYAL EASTER SHOW

16th April 2015 - POOR WEATHER LEADS TO ATTENDANCE DECLINE AT SYDNEY ROYAL EASTER SHOW

24th October 2014 - PRINCESS ANNE PRAISES CULTURAL AND SOCIAL HERITAGE OF AUSTRALIAN AGRICULTURAL SHOWS

14th August 2014 - REPORT SHOWS EVENTS DRIVE REGIONAL TOURISM

17th October 2012 - AGRICULTURAL SHOWS IN DECLINE, WHILE COUNTRY EVENTS THRIVE

15th August 2012 - WITHOUT VOLUNTEERS AGRICULTURAL SHOWS 'WILL CEASE TO EXIST' 

14th June 2012 - STUDY TO REVEAL IMPACT OF COUNTRY AND COMMUNITY SHOWS

27th April 2010 - 900,000 VISITORS ATTEND 2010 SYDNEY ROYAL EASTER SHOW