Ekka Tastes Drive Through after Covid’s devastating blow

The Ekka Tastes Drive Through is back this year, with double the capacity and the beloved Bertie Beetle showbags added alongside the strawberry sundaes and dagwood dogs.

Queenslanders will still be able to get their taste of the Ekka when the iconic show flings open its gates this weekend for a drive-through strawberry sundae and dagwood dog stalls.

After suffering the devastating blow of seeing the Royal Queensland Show cancelled for the second year running on the back of Covid concerns, organisers are promising this year’s Ekka Tastes Drive Through will be bigger and better than ever.

Cousins Caroline Ackerie, 7 and John Douglas, 7, are excited to see the return of the Ekka Tastes Drive Through. Picture: Nigel Hallett

This year’s features the addition of the much-loved Bertie Beetle showbags and double the drive-through capacity of last year’s.

For nine days from this Saturday to until Sunday, August 22, at the Brisbane Showgrounds, show treats will be on sale from 10am to 7pm each day together with a special Ekka Tastes pop-up outlet in King St, Bowen Hills.

RNA chief executive Brendan Christou said the RNA had been overwhelmed by the support of Queenslanders in the wake of the Ekka’s cancellation, just five days out from the start of Show.

“The RNA has been touched by the incredible outpouring of support, so we wanted to give something back to the community who have stood by us for 145 years, it’s so important to keep the Ekka spirit alive,” he said.

Mr Christou said the RNA had also been able to keep the Ekka spirit alive this past week with judging taking place for 20 of the 55 competitions.

Dominos is also getting into the Ekka-spirit by delivering Bertie Beetle showbags across the Brisbane, Moreton Bay and Scenic Rim regions on Wednesday.

The drive-through and pop up will sell the Ekka Strawberry Sundaes for $5.50, dagwood dogs for $5.50 and Bertie Beetle showbags for $5.

Money raised from the sundaes goes to The Prince Charles Hospital Foundation to aid medical research.

Originally published as Ekka Tastes Drive Through after Covid’s devastating blow