Sydney Royal Easter Show Wrap Up

As the Southern Hemisphereâs largest annual celebration wraps up for another year, organisers of the Sydney Royal Easter Show are reporting a successful show.
With an expected total of just under 900,000 people through the gates, almost 100,000 more than in 2008, Royal Agricultural Society of NSW Chief Executive Peter King has congratulated the people of NSW and Sydney for ignoring the economic doom and gloom and coming to the Show in such large numbers.
âThis yearâs attendance figures prove that Show traditions are still relevant to Australians. Clearly all Showgoers were looking for great family entertainment which meant the Show this year has had a real âfeel goodâ factor.�?
âThrough the 2009 Show over 500,000 people visited the Dairy Farmers Farmyard Animal Nursery, 231,000 watched âThe Story of True Blueâ in the NAB Arena, and 35,000 ate fresh scones baked by the Country Womenâs Association,�? Mr King said.
In 2009, just under 100,000 Showgoers used the brand new âprint-at-homeâ ticket option, getting into the action faster by saving time at the gate.
âThis year weâve seen Sydneysiders and their country cousins take the opportunity to really engage with Show traditions, educate their families and enjoy top-quality entertainment.
âThere is a vibrant world beyond suburban Sydney and for two weeks weâve provided families the opportunity to engage with 14,000 animals and 5,000 art exhibits, and awarded over 15,000 trophies, certificates and medals in the Sydney Royal competitions.�?
Showgoers enjoyed over 260 hours of free entertainment on The Graze Stage and the Big Top Amphitheatre, and watched Australiaâs only diving pig Smokey launch himself into a pool 140 times.
The ever-popular Show treats were once again a hit, with Showgoers consuming 109,000 dagwood dogs; 34,950 corn cobs; 32,000 cheese on stick; 58,000 meat pies and 34,500 Country Womenâs Association scones.
Over 1.65 million show bags were sold this year. The Coca-Cola showbag out-sold all others topping 20,200, followed by the High School Musical 3 bag selling 18,000, the Dairy Farmers bag with 10,000 sold and the Hannah Montana bag, which went home with 9,000 Showgoers.
The 2009 Show was run by the hard work of 3,000 workers and 400 volunteers.
âOn behalf of all the Showgoers, exhibitors and the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW, Iâd like to send a big âthank youâ to everyone that gave their time to make the 2009 Sydney Royal Easter Show such a resounding success,�? King added.
Among Show entertainment, the Pirates Revenge was the most popular with 168,000 showgoers leaving a little damper from their ride. The Power Surge ride, shocked 105,000 showgoers; the SkyView Wheel took 70,000 Showgoers through 4,200 rotations while 140,000 balls were dropped into clownsâ mouths in the carnival.