Royal Melbourne Show

Royal Melbourne Show

Crowds at the Royal Melbourne Show
Genre Agricultural show
Begins Mid September
Ends Late September/Early October
Frequency annual
Location(s) Royal Melbourne Showgrounds. Ascot Vale, Victoria, Australia
Years active 168
Inaugurated 1848
Attendance 500,000 (2010)
Organised by Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria
Website
http://www.royalshow.com.au/

The Royal Melbourne Show is an agricultural show held at the Royal Melbourne Showgrounds every September. It is organised by the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria and has been running since 1848.[1] Each year Royal Melbourne Show attracts attendances of up to half a million people.

The traditional purpose is the display of rural industry, including livestock and produce with its associated competitions and awards however the show also features amusement rides and a sideshow alley, as well as the peculiarly Australian tradition of 'Showbags', carry bags containing samples of goodies produced by various commercial enterprises.

A prominent feature during showtime are the many rides including a permanent wooden Mad Mouse roller coaster which resided at the grounds until 2001, owned by Wittingslow Amusements. A permanent chairlift also resided onsite until 2005. The site has its own railway station, used during special events located on the Flemington Racecourse line. The Thursday of the show was once observed as the Show Day public holiday in Melbourne; this holiday was abandoned in 1994.[2]

While the Royal Show is the main show in Victoria, many cities and towns in regional Victoria host smaller shows, such as the Royal Geelong Show, Bendigo Show, Ballarat Show, Warragul Show, Whittlesea Show and the Shepparton Show.

Displays

Equestrian Competition.

Competitions

The major rural competitions of the show include Alpaca competitions, Beef Cattle Competitions, Beef Carcase Competitions, Dairy cattle Competition, Dog Competitions, Angora goat Competitions, Boer Goat Competitions, Dairy Goat Competitions, Horse Competitions, Poultry Competition, Sheep Competition, Domestic Animal Competitions, Fleece Competitions and Woodchop Competitions.

The major equestrienne competition of Australia is the Garryowen trophy which is held here. This is a memorial trophy to Mrs Murrell's bravery in attempting to save her hack, Garryowen. The competition is judged on mount, costume, saddlery, riding ability and general appearance of horsewomen.[3]

There are also Art, Craft and Cookery Competitions.

Pavilions

A lamb in the petting area at the 2013 show
Wood chopping contest
Cows on show

Located all around the show grounds are a total of sixteen pavilions and arenas. These include:-

Entertainment

Entertainment consists of multiple live performances, activities and displays. Entertainers have included Dorothy the Dinosaur from the children's group The Wiggles, Play School concert, Sampson the Monster truck, clowns, caricature artists and many more. in addition to 774 ABC Melbourne radio outside broadcast. There is a nightly fireworks display and live performances. Lights, colours and sound provide a unique atmosphere in the Carnival precinct at night.

In 2012, a major new covered venue, The Entertainment Dome, replaced the old "Herald Sun Town Square" in both position and in purpose. In addition to housing the old stage, seating and food facilities, the venue also includes a state of the art main stage, with its own audience stand, equipped to run ticketed shows. The capacity of the new venue is around 500 seats. In 2012 the venue hosted the My Kitchen Rules live show. Like the Grand Pavilion next to it, the Entertainment Dome is designed to look like a permanent circus tent.

The views from the Ferris wheel across Melbourne’s skyline and the Showgrounds are significant and if you're lucky enough to be on the top as the fireworks display begins you’ll enjoy the best seats in the house. The show grounds houses an abundance of rides ranging from dodgem cars to roller coasters and helicopter rides.

Rides

Rides at the Melbourne Show 2013
Rides at the Melbourne Show 2013

The children's rides include:

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Royal Melbourne Show.

References

  1. ↑ Royal Melbourne Show 2008
  2. ↑ "Detailed History". Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria. 15 September 2014. Retrieved 15 September 2014.
  3. ↑ Garryowen back in family Retrieved on 15 October 2008
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