Brisbane's Ekka is back for another year with 40,000 attendees on day one. The event brings city and country together with thousands of families and animals across Queensland gathering at the showground with rides and fun for all.

Brisbane

The Ekka, Queensland's annual agricultural show, opened at Brisbane's R&A Showgrounds with organisers expecting 40,000 visitors on the first day alone. The event draws families and animals from across the state, showcasing livestock and rural lifestyles to city residents. 

Highlights include the popular Sideshow Alley, a variety of food vendors, and the renowned night-time display in the main arena. Improved public transport access via the reopened Echo Line has made it easier for attendees to reach the showgrounds. Organisers anticipate between 400,000 and 500,000 visitors over the course of the event, with discounted entry available on select days.

Crowds flock to Ekka as Queensland's annual show returns

Oh, and I think people have cottoned on, Chris. I mean, it has been so busy here today. Organisers tell me they expect 40,000 people through the gates just on day one. And I know the expression's every man and his dog, but I think you can broaden that out to every man, woman, child, and all of their animals here. Of course, thousands of animals and families come from across Queensland to show their lifestyles and their livestock to the city folk. But then there is the infamous Sideshow Alley on the other side of the R&A showgrounds. You won't catch me spending too much time on those adrenaline hair-raising rides, but you will catch me spending quite a bit of time in the Showbag Pavilion and around all the food vendors. And as if that wasn't all good enough, well, tonight is the first night of the famous night-time display in the main arena. And it's even easier to get here this year with the Echo Line open again. Those two trains were fully packed. The train station worked really well and people are coming in enjoying the show. Super Saver days are the way to save now. So on the Monday, the Tuesday, the Thursday and Friday, it's 20% cheaper than the other day. So that's a great value bundle there. Now, Chris, of course, the public holiday that we have every year for the Echo People's Day, that will be on Wednesday again this year. And across the length of the Echo, we are expecting between 400,000 and half a million people to visit the R&A showgrounds. So plenty on and plenty of time to come on down.

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