The Newcastle Regional Show (or just Newcastle Show) is an annual agricultural show

Agricultural show

An agricultural show is a public event showcasing the equipment, animals, sports and recreation associated with agriculture and animal husbandry. The largest comprise a livestock show , a trade fair, competitions, and entertainment...

 held by Newcastle A.H. & I. Association Inc. at the Newcastle Regional Showground in Broadmeadow

Broadmeadow, New South Wales

Broadmeadow is the geographic centre of Newcastle city. Its main commercial hub is located at the “Nineways”.-Origins:Broadmeadow was originally part of the Newcastle Pasturage Reserve of 648 hectares...

, a suburb of Newcastle

Newcastle, New South Wales

The Newcastle metropolitan area is the second most populated area in the Australian state of New South Wales and includes most of the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie Local Government Areas...

 in New South Wales

New South Wales

New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...

, Australia

Australia

Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...

.

The Newcastle and District Agricultural Horticultural and Industrial Association was formed in 1899 and held the first Newcastle Show in May 1902. It has been held each year since with breaks for World War I

World War I

World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...

, the 1919 influenza epidemic

Spanish flu

The 1918 flu pandemic was an influenza pandemic, and the first of the two pandemics involving H1N1 influenza virus . It was an unusually severe and deadly pandemic that spread across the world. Historical and epidemiological data are inadequate to identify the geographic origin...

 and World War II

World War II

World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...

. The show was not held in 2007 after losses in 2006, however it returned in 2008. With improvements to the showground and expanded entertainment, the show crowds in 2008 were up by 50 per cent.

The show comprises a ring show with livestock parades, show jumping and various attractions such as speedway cars, marching bands or fireworks; an agriculture pavilion with displays and judging of livestock and produce; commercial stands and exhibits; a Hall of Industry with art, photography, handcrafts, cookery etc. There is also live entertainment, a showbag

Showbag

The showbag is a themed bag of commercial merchandise, and a distinctive feature of Australian shows...

 pavilion, a sideshow alley

Sideshow alley

A sideshow alley is an Australian term for the cluster of attractions that may accompany public events such as agricultural shows. It is similar to the American term 'midway'...

 with carnival rides, shopping, food courts etc. The Newcastle Entertainment Centre

Newcastle Entertainment Centre

Newcastle Entertainment Centre is a multi-purpose Australian arena located within the Newcastle Showgrounds and was opened in 1992 at a cost of A$12m....

 is located inside the showground and is used for the show.

Newcastle Show Day is a public holiday which applies to the Newcastle

City of Newcastle

Newcastle City Council is a Local Government Area in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, Australia.-Demographics:According to the Australian Bureau Statistics the City of Newcastle had an estimated resident population of 154,777 as of 30 June 2008...

 and Lake Macquarie Local Government Areas.