Royal Adelaide Show
Encyclopedia
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...
/fair
Fair
A fair or fayre is a gathering of people to display or trade produce or other goods, to parade or display animals and often to enjoy associated carnival or funfair entertainment. It is normally of the essence of a fair that it is temporary; some last only an afternoon while others may ten weeks. ...
held in Adelaide
Adelaide
Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia and the fifth-largest city in Australia. Adelaide has an estimated population of more than 1.2 million...
, South Australia
South Australia
South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
that begins on the first Friday in September, or the last Friday in August, and runs for 9 days. It is held at the Royal Adelaide Showgrounds
Royal Adelaide Showgrounds
The Adelaide Showgrounds, formerly the Royal Adelaide Showgrounds and most commonly known as the Wayville Showgrounds holds many of Adelaide's most popular events, including the Royal Adelaide Show....
, located in Wayville and is attended by thousands. It features food, rides, a Ferris wheel
Ferris wheel
A Ferris wheel is a nonbuilding structure consisting of a rotating upright wheel with passenger cars attached to the rim in such a way that as the wheel turns, the cars are kept upright, usually by gravity.Some of the largest and most modern Ferris wheels have cars mounted on...
, competitions and animal races.
The Royal Show is primarily an opportunity for the State's farmers to show examples of their livestock. There is Horticulture on display with the freshest fruit and vegetables. It also includes rides, competitions, demonstrations and food of all tastes (i.e. gourmet food as well as waffles, hot dogs, hot chips, sausage on a stick, cinnamon donuts, sausages, sausage rolls, pies, pasties etc.) and styles.
History
South Australia
South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
's Agricultural Society (later called The Royal Agricultural & Horticultural Society) was held in the yard of Fordham's Hotel, in Grenfell Street
Grenfell Street, Adelaide
Grenfell Street is a main road in the north-east quarter of the Adelaide city centre, in Adelaide, South Australia. The street runs west-east from King William Street to East Terrace. On the other side of King William Street, it continues as Currie Street...
, Adelaide
Adelaide
Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia and the fifth-largest city in Australia. Adelaide has an estimated population of more than 1.2 million...
, on 8 December 1840, a mere 4 years after South Australia's settlement in 1836. It was a produce show consisting of wool, wheat, oats, barley, maize, cheese, potatoes and onions and was non-competitive.
In 1843 the fourth produce show and the first livestock show was held. The two shows — the Autumn Produce Show and the Spring Livestock Show were held separately from 1843 to 1923.
February 1844 saw a combined show held under marquees and tents among the gum trees in Botanic Park
Botanic Park, Adelaide
Botanic Park, which is a part of Park 11 and also known by its Kaurna name Tainmundilla, is a 34 hectare park in the Northeast Parklands of the South Australian capital of Adelaide. It is bordered by Hackney and Frome Roads. The park abuts the Adelaide Zoo and River Torrens on its northern side...
. The Botanic Park site became an ever expanding display of marquees, stalls, booths and amusements until 1859.
A permanent exhibition building was built at a cost of £2,000 near the old marquee site and contained the largest floor area of any building in the Australian colonies. It was completed by the end of 1859 and was ready for the 1860 Autumn Show.
In 1887 the Government built the Jubilee Exhibition Building to celebrate the jubilee of Queen Victoria
Victoria of the United Kingdom
Victoria was the monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 20 June 1837 until her death. From 1 May 1876, she used the additional title of Empress of India....
's reign. The show was moved to there in 1895. In 1911 the Government purchased vacant land at Wayville
Wayville, South Australia
Wayville is an inner-southern suburb of Adelaide in the City of Unley. It is most notable for its hosting of the Royal Adelaide Show at the Royal Adelaide Showgrounds. The suburb is bordered to the north with the South Park Lands of Adelaide, and to the south with the tramline.Wayville Post Office...
, but with the intervention of the First World War and with no funds to spare, the move to Wayville was not made until 1925.
The Show Today
Today, the Royal Agricultural & Horticultural Society of South Australia organises the biggest community event in the State. The Royal Adelaide Show attracts almost half of the population of the entire State and even interstate and overseas visitors attend. The economic impact on the State is considerable with the latest study showing an annual economic impact of over(AU)$148 million.Showbags
Showbag
The showbag is a themed bag of commercial merchandise, and a distinctive feature of Australian shows...
s. They are usually bags that are sold in the Showbag Pavilion next to the Main Arena, and are mainly promotion for the companies that produce the products contained within the bag, although some Showbags contain a variety of products that are made by various companies.
Showbags originally started as a free sample bag that were given to visitors at the Show. As the original Showbags grew in popularity, they eventually ceased to be free and a small fee of threepence or sixpence applied to those who wished to have one.
Rides
The rides are extremely popular among young people and teenagers, many attending the Show for the single purpose of going on the rides. Some larger rides range in price from $5 to $30 (for the Slingshot ride - where you receive a video of yourself on the ride at a very high price excluding the ticket price). The most well known ride at the show is the Ferris wheelFerris wheel
A Ferris wheel is a nonbuilding structure consisting of a rotating upright wheel with passenger cars attached to the rim in such a way that as the wheel turns, the cars are kept upright, usually by gravity.Some of the largest and most modern Ferris wheels have cars mounted on...
.
In 2000, the 'Spin Dragon' collapsed, injuring around 40 people, whilst in 2006, part of the 'Twin Flip' ride collapsed.
At the end of the 2007 Show on 15 September, the "Mad Mouse" roller coaster was retired from service. The track will be dismantled, the cars due to be auctioned off (one will be donated to the Royal Show's archives). Plans are being made to replace the Mad Mouse with a roller coaster that can be dismantled at the end of each show and reassembled. It has been replaced with a large roller coaster, "The Big Dipper", imported from Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
. It features steep climbs and drops, as well a loop. It was very popular at the 2008 show, drawing record crowds. Other new additions for the 2008 show include a new logo (replacing Banjo the border collie
Border Collie
The Border Collie is a herding dog breed developed in the Anglo-Scottish border region for herding livestock, especially sheep. It is the most widespread of the collie breeds....
dog, will now feature fireworks) and other new rides.
The rides participating in this years' show are:
XXXL Speed Slingshot
Space Roller Power Surge Insanity
Big Dipper Crazy Coaster Gravitron
Rock Matterhorn Mega Drop Hard Rock
Hangover Dodgems Thunderbolt
Breakdance Technojump The Claw
Ali Baba Skyflyer Wave Swinger
Fungee Bungee Simulator