EKKA

 The first show

Bowen Park was chosen in January 1876 as the site for the first ever Royal Queensland Show. The park covered 6.8 hectares bordered by Bowen Bridge Road, Gregory Terrace and a creek which ran through the middle of what is now the Main Arena.

The Intercolonial Exhibition of 1876 was held from 22 to 26 August. A public holiday was declared and on opening day 17,000 people attended - a colossal success given that the total population of Brisbane at the time was only 22,000.

Men attended in their suits and ladies in their finest garments. Food was served on long tables and the first showbag - a bag of coal - was free for all visitors.

The origin of Ekka

The first 'Royal' Show was held in 1921, when the Association was granted the prefix under warrant from His Majesty King George V.

Since then, the shortened name 'Ekka' has replaced 'Exhibition' in the Queensland vernacular, indicating locals' affection for the show.

Ekka has since been held every year with only three exceptions - in 1919 due to the Spanish Flu epidemic, in 1942 when the grounds were used as a World War II staging depot and in 2020 and 2021 due the the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

History timeline

1876 THE FIRST EXHIBITION

• The Intercolonial Exhibition of 1876 was held at Bowen Park with an estimated 15,000-17,000 people attending out of Brisbane's populations at the time of just 20,600
• 5,000 people charges the turnstiles - chaos ensued until the mounted troopers were called to drive back the crowd
• Visitors to the first show were treated to more than 1,000 exhibits
• The show received 1,700 competition entries in more than 600 entries
• Entry tickets were large and square for major patrons, circular for subscribers, blue for judges and red for stewards*
• Staff included a nightwatchman, 40 stewards and more than 30 judges*
• Entry to the grounds in the morning was a half-crown or visitors could wait until after the official opening when the cost of a ticket fell to one shilling*
• Competitors were usually charged two shillings and sixpence per entry*
• The largest prize up for grabs was 25 guineas*
• The show closed at midnight on Monday 28 August, following a controversial decision to open on the Sunday*
• Only three breeds of cattle were displayed at the first show - Durham, Hereford and Devon*

1877 FIRST EKKA RIDE

• Introduction of the first ride in Sideshow Alley - a merry-go-round*
• The total value of prizes and medals was between £500 and £600*

1879 INTRODUCTION OF QUEENSLAND'S NEWEST TECHNOLOGIES

• Ekka patrons were amazed by telephones, microphones, electric lights and even an electric thief detector
• The Ekka's first oyster stall was introduced*

1891 DISTRICT EXHIBITS

• The first district exhibits contest was held - nine regions competed for a prize pool of £175*

1894 FIRST FIREWORKS

• The first fireworks display in the Main Arena, beginning another show tradition*

1919 FIRST EKKA CANCELLED DUE TO INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC

1920 EDWARD, PRINCE OF WALES VISITS THE EKKA

1926 SHOW TRADITIONS

• Queensland Country Women's Association make its first appearance at the Ekka
• The first night time ring program was held following the introduction of electric lighting*

1942 WORLD WAR II

• The show was cancelled due to World War II as the grounds were used as a staging depot

1950's EKKA FOOD TRADITIONS

• The now symbolic Ekka fairy floss, butter board sandwiches, Strawberry Sundaes and dagwood dogs were introduced*

1954 QUEEN ELIZABETH II AND PRINCE PHILLIP VISIT THE EKKA

1959 HRH PRINCESS ALEXANDRIA OF KENT VISITS

1964 ANIMAL NURSERY AT THE EKKA FIRST INTRODUCED

2000 SIDESHOW ALLEY AND WOODCHOP

• Inner city bypass constructed, Sideshow Alley and the woodchop arena redeveloped

2010 ONE OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL EKKA'S IN HISTORY HELD

2011 GRAMMY AWARD WINNERS

• Grammy Award winners Wolfmother close the Ekka's concert series in front of a capacity crowd

2012 AUSTRALIAN FIRST

• In an Australian first, Ekka fans were able to customise their own fireworks on the show's free interactive fireworks iPhone app
• 2012 Australian of the Year and Academy Award-winning actor and producer Geoffrey Rush attended the opening day of the Ekka
• In true Queensland style, a cricket match involving cricketing greats Adam Gilchrist, Glenn McGrath, Ian Healy, Andy Bichel and Jimmy Maher, took place on the Main Arena on the final day of the Ekka

2013 EKKA WINS INTERNATIONAL AWARDS

• The Royal Queensland Show took home the prestigious Best in Show title, along with 13 other awards, at the 2013 International Association of Fairs & Expositions Awards (IAFE Awards)
• Over 400,000 guests through the Ekka gates
• Over 54,521 Ekka Facebook friends - a growth of 75% from 2012

2014 MILLION DOLLAR NIGHT SHOW

• Australia-first million dollar night show Ekka NITES wows the crowd each night of show
• Queensland beats New South Wales in the 2014 Ekka Rodeo
• The Ekka runs over two full weekends for the first time in the show's history
• British stars from the 'Inbetweeners' and Miss World Australia, Courtney Thorpe, visit Ekka

2015 THE YEAR OF THE FLYING PIGS

• The Racing and Diving Pigs wow the crowds at Ekka, as they fly through the sky and dive into a pool of water
• Seven-year-old Mater Vandeleur who captivated the audience with his pig training tricks made international news with his special Channel 7 news report
• Never before seen fireworks light up the Main Arena

2016 THE RETURN OF THE OLD MUSEUM

• After 119 years, The Old Museum came back home to Ekka, housing the Flower and Garden Exhibition and Quilts Across Queensland
• A new two day pass and dedicated 2 for 1 ride and food days are introduced, signaling major historic hip pocket savings
• The world-class night show EkkaNITES showcases incredible female talent, including American FMX superstar Vicki Golden
• The breathtaking EkkaNITES fireworks finale features a 20 metre high pyrotechnic tower never before seen in Australia, shooting fireworks from 49 positions

2017 CELEBRATING EKKA’S 140TH

• The Ekka celebrated a remarkable milestone - its 140th anniversary
• The RNA marked the special occasion by introducing a new half price ticket for entry from 6pm and not one, but two fireworks displays

2018 INVESTING IN AGRICULTURE

• The RNA invested in its charter of championing and celebrating agriculture, building two new event facilities - The
  Pavilion and Marquee 2. The Pavilion, completed in October, was partially used at the show to house beef and dairy cattle, dairy goats and poultry. Meanwhile Marquee 2 was completed in February and became the new Woodchop Arena, expanding the competition area by 50 per cent.

2019 NEW PARK FOR POOCHES AND THE PUBLIC

• Alexandria Park was completed in April, offering two acres of additional green and event space, along with a refurbished heritage-listed undercover events pavilion known as Building 8. The park became the new home of the Ekka’s Canine Competition presented by Black Hawk in August.

2020 CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) PANDEMIC

• The show was cancelled in the best interest of public health due to the global coronavirus pandemic, social distancing measures and public gathering restrictions.

2021 EKKA CANCELLED FOR SECOND YEAR IN A ROW

• For the second year in a row, the show was cancelled in the best interest of public health due to the ongoing global coronavirus pandemic and subsquent lockdown measures.

Who is Behind the Show?

Founded in 1875, the Royal National Agricultural and Industrial Association of Queensland (RNA) is an independent, not-for-profit member based organisation that has freehold title to the iconic Brisbane Showgrounds. The organisation’s guiding mission is to celebrate and champion the essential role agriculture plays in the everyday lives of Queenslanders. Governed by 21 elected Councillors, the RNA showcases and rewards the very best of the best in agriculture through the Royal Queensland Show (Ekka) and Royal Queensland Awards (RQA) competitions. Outside of Ekka, the Brisbane Showgrounds is a venue business which hosts more than 250 events each year including exhibitions, conferences, banquets and music festivals.

About the Ekka

The Ekka is Queensland's largest and most loved annual event, attracting on average 400,000 people. Run by the RNA for nine days in August and staged at its original birthplace, the Brisbane Showgrounds, the Ekka brings the country and city together for a true celebration of agriculture. The Ekka showcases the best of Queensland, attracting more than 21,000 competition entries from woodchop to giant vegetables, 10,000 animals from beef cattle to cats and dogs, world-class live entertainment, award-winning food and wine, carnival rides and showbags, family shopping, educational activities and much more. The iconic show has been running since 1876 and is full of traditions, a unique atmosphere and childhood memories which have been passed down through generations of families.

How it Started

The RNA has a rich history stemming back to 1875 when a group of colonists joined together to encourage the development of Queensland’s primary industries. Leading members of the colonial society formed the first RNA Council, under the presidency of Governor Sir William Cairns, with most of the 35 members pastoralists and merchants. The RNA Council immediately committed themselves to organising the very first exhibition for Brisbane - from calling for tenders for the initial building to meeting with the Premier of Queensland to establish a public holiday on opening day. The result was the Intercolonial Exhibition of 1876 - the largest event to be held in the state up to that point. The RNA, along with the exhibition, continued to expand and grow in popularity and in 1921, the association was granted the prefix ‘Royal’ under warrant from His Majesty King George V. Since then, the shortened name ‘Ekka’ has replaced ‘Exhibition’ in the Queensland vernacular.

The Early Shows

On August 22, 1876, a crowd of more than 15,000 people made their way by horse, foot or carriage to experience the very first Ekka, at what is now known as the Brisbane Showgrounds. Some of today’s traditions stem back to this first exhibition. Competitions were a cornerstone of the Ekka right from the beginning with 1,700 entries across 650 classes with people competing for trophies, cash prizes and medals. Visitors were treated to more than 1,000 exhibits and charged an entry fee of a half-crown, or one shilling if they waited until after the official opening. The first show depended heavily on the voluntary efforts of RNA Council members, judges and stewards as the RNA did not yet have its own staff, apart from employing nightwatchmen. Celebrating the colony’s achievements, the Intercolonial Exhibition of 1876 was praised as the most significant event in Queensland since its separation from New South Wales. Since 1876 the Ekka has continued to grow in popularity and size, remaining one of the most anticipated yearly events. It has been held annually at the Brisbane Showgrounds since its inception except for four instances – in 1919 at the height of the Spanish influenza epidemic, in 1942 during World War II when the grounds were used as a staging depot for troops and most recently in 2020 and 2021 due to the worldwide coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Strange But True

n A key event at the first show in 1876 was a competition for the best sample of 5 tonne of manure, deodorised and prepared in the most economical form of use*.

n The first ever showbag was a bag of coal*.
n In the 1920s a flock of 90 sheep were used to maintain the lawns at

the Brisbane Showgrounds.

n At the first show there was a competition for the fastest walking farm horse*.

n During the Great Depression new entertainment was introduced including goat races that attracted some 100 competitors in a single show*.

n There was no Sideshow Alley in 1876, just a lone individual known as the ‘lightning calculator,’ whose facility with numbers amazed the crowds*.

Who is Behind the Show?

Founded in 1875, the Royal National Agricultural and Industrial Association of Queensland (RNA) is an independent, not-for-profit member based organisation that has freehold title to the iconic Brisbane Showgrounds. The organisation’s guiding mission is to celebrate and champion the essential role agriculture plays in the everyday lives of Queenslanders Governed by 21 elected Councillors, the RNA showcases and rewards the very best of the best in agriculture through the Royal Queensland Show (Ekka) and Royal Queensland Awards (RQA) competitions. Outside of Ekka, the Brisbane Showgrounds is a venue business which hosts more than 250 events each year including exhibitions, conferences, banquets and music festivals.

About the Ekka

The Ekka is Queensland's largest and most loved annual event, attracting on average 400,000 people. Run by the RNA for nine days in August and staged at its original birthplace, the Brisbane Showgrounds, the Ekka brings the country and city together for a true celebration of agriculture. The Ekka showcases the best of Queensland, attracting more than 21,000 competition entries from woodchop to giant vegetables, 10,000 animals from beef cattle to cats and dogs, world-class live entertainment, award-winning food and wine, carnival rides and showbags, family shopping, educational activities and much more. The iconic show has been running since 1876 and is full of traditions, a unique atmosphere and childhood memories which have been passed down through generations of families.

How it Started

The RNA has a rich history stemming back to 1875 when a group of colonists joined together to encourage the development of Queensland’s primary industries. Leading members of the colonial society formed the first RNA Council, under the presidency of Governor Sir William Cairns, with most of the 35 members pastoralists and merchants. The RNA Council immediately committed themselves to organising the very first exhibition for Brisbane - from calling for tenders for the initial building to meeting with the Premier of Queensland to establish a public holiday on opening day. The result was the Intercolonial Exhibition of 1876 - the largest event to be held in the state up to that point. The RNA, along with the exhibition, continued to expand and grow in popularity and in 1921, the association was granted the prefix ‘Royal’ under warrant from His Majesty King George V. Since then, the shortened name ‘Ekka’ has replaced ‘Exhibition’ in the Queensland vernacular.

The Early Shows

On August 22, 1876, a crowd of more than 15,000 people made their way by horse, foot or carriage to experience the very first Ekka, at what is now known as the Brisbane Showgrounds. Some of today’s traditions stem back to this first exhibition. Competitions were a cornerstone of the Ekka right from the beginning with 1,700 entries across 650 classes with people competing for trophies, cash prizes and medals. Visitors were treated to more than 1,000 exhibits and charged an entry fee of a half-crown, or one shilling if they waited until after the official opening.

The first show depended heavily on the voluntary efforts of RNA Council members, judges and stewards as the RNA did not yet have its own staff, apart from employing nightwatchmen. Celebrating the colony’s achievements, the Intercolonial Exhibition of 1876 was praised as the most significant event in Queensland since its separation from New South Wales.

Since 1876 the Ekka has continued to grow in popularity and size, remaining one of the most anticipated yearly events. It has been held annually at the Brisbane Showgrounds since its inception except for four instances – in 1919 at the height of the Spanish influenza epidemic, in 1942 during World War II when the grounds were used as a staging depot for troops and most recently in 2020 and 2021 due to the worldwide coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Strange But True

n A key event at the first show in 1876 was a competition for the best sample of 5 tonne of manure, deodorised and prepared in the most economical form of use*.

n The first ever showbag was a bag of coal*.
n In the 1920s a flock of 90 sheep were used to maintain the lawns at

the Brisbane Showgrounds.

n At the first show there was a competition for the fastest walking farm horse*.

n During the Great Depression new entertainment was introduced including goat races that attracted some 100 competitors in a single show*.

n There was no Sideshow Alley in 1876, just a lone individual known as the ‘lightning calculator,’ whose facility with numbers amazed the crowds*.

BAZIC INFORMATION TOURIST WEBSITE

The Ekka is a 10-day long exhibition held each August just outside Brisbane’s city centre. Queenslanders are immensely proud of this event, because it’s more than candy floss, fireworks and full of treats. The Honourable Premier W. Forgan Smith said it best in his 1939 newspaper advertisement to promote the event: “Each year’s show is a glowing tribute to the industry and enterprise of our people.”

The event is officially known as the Royal Queensland Show. In true Australian fashion, the locals preferred to call it the exhibition and then took to shortening that to Ekka. The name stuck and even official event organisers refer to the extravaganza by this nickname. The Royal National Agricultural and Industrial Association of Queensland organised the first event in 1875. It was pitched as a showcase of the state’s agricultural industry, which caused so much excitement that the government decided to declare a public holiday (day off) so everyone could celebrate. Nearly 17,000 people attended the opening, which is incredible considering Brisbane had a population of just 22,000 at the time.

Over 1,700 competition entries were received in over 600 classes at this first event. There was even a competition for the fastest walking farm horse. Competitions remain an important part of the event, with ribbons handed out each year for everything from fastest woodchopper to neatest handwriting.

Showbags are another essential part of the Ekka experience. The first ever showbag was awarded to Governor Cairns, a government official instrumental in establishing the event. Keeping with the primary industries theme, his bag contained locally-sourced coal, sugar, gold and quicksilver, a substance made from crushed quartz. Showbags began to change in the 1920s to include more consumer-friendly items such as preserved fruit, lollies, biscuits and cake mixes. These days, there are hundreds of bags to choose from, and they contain an incredible array of goodies; gadgets, magazines, tickets to performances, artisanal food, toys, chocolates, chips and sweets.

No trip to the Ekka is complete with a dagwood dog (a local variation on the American corn dog), candy floss and locally-made strawberry sundaes. These treats were first introduced in the 1950s and still remain immensely popular.

The Ekka is such an important part of the Queensland cultural calendar that it’s only been cancelled twice in 134 years. The first occurred in 1919 during an international flu epidemic, as the grounds were being used as an emergency hospital. It was cancelled again in 1942 as the army needed the site for training and troop accommodation. The army continued to use the site throughout World War Two, but cleared out each August so the Ekka could go ahead.

Even though Ekka runs for less than two weeks, the showgrounds are never quiet. The exhibition halls are hired out for large events like bridal exhibitions, tertiary studies expos and the city’s Oktoberfest celebrations. The ovals are used year-round for cricket, football and other sporting events.

The city recently invested in a $2.9 billion upgrade of the Ekka grounds, ensuring generations to come will enjoy the thrill of the Royal Queensland Show.