It’s showtime: After 1084 days the Ekka is back for its 143rd instalment

After a monumental Covid-enforced 1084-day break, Brisbane’s iconic Ekka has made its triumphant return.

After a monumental 1084 days between drinks, the People’s Show will today make its triumphant return when the Exhibition gates fly open and thousands of punters stroll on in.

The Queensland Royal Show is officially back as the 143rd Ekka – an epic event which has only been cancelled four times in its history – twice in the past two years.

First came the Spanish flu in 1919, then the Exhibition Groups were used as a staging depot for World War II in 1942.

Then Covid-19 arrived and its brutal lockdowns put a line through the 2020 show.

Hopes of a resurgence a year later were strong for much of 2021 until the Delta variant sent shockwaves through Brisbane.

When the infamous Indooroopilly State High School Covid-19 cluster plunged the city into lockdown, the hopes were completely dashed and the 2021 Ekka was cancelled five days out.

Clem Cook, 11 alongside twin brothers Rupert and Banjo, nine, ahead of the first day of the 2022 Ekka. Picture: Zak Simmonds

RNA chief executive Brendan Christou said a many of the cattle men and women had already travelled to Brisbane ready for their showpiece event.

Mr Christou revealed psychologists were offered to RNA staff whose spirits had been crushed at the 11th hour shut down.

“It was devastating. To be cancelled at the last minute, it was like a grieving process,” Mr Christou said.

“It’s a bit like these athletes we are watching at the Commonwealth Games at the moment. You’re in a track event and you false start. That was us.”

This time round there was no false start.

The smell of cow droppings and hay bales are wafting in the surrounding streets of the RNA Showgrounds, the screams of Sideshow Alley ready to be heard and the animal nursery waiting to be petted.

Felicity and Charlie, both 7, with Rusty the one-year-old Chinese Silkie Chicken and Kaysha the five-year-old pony at the animal nursery ahead of the 2022 Ekka. Picture: Zak Simmonds

“You can tell how excited everyone is,” Mr Christou said overlooking the Main Arena.

“It’s just so good they can get back to their normal life and back to their annual event.”

Queensland Agricultural Minister Mark Furner said the 143rd instalment would be “bigger, brighter and better” than ever.

Mr Furner urged Ekka goers to speak to some of the farmers who had suffered without their showcase event.

“It’s been extremely hard and difficult times without their biggest show in Queensland to demonstrate what they have on offer,” Mr Furner said.

“Some of the farmers have had three consecutive flood periods, Covid had impacted properties, crops and workers.

“So chat to them. Get information from them and let them show you what they do.”

Mr Furner encouraged punters to bring or wear masks and try to social distance where possible.

“There will be biosecurity officers here to make it safe. Everything is in place to make sure the Ekka is a huge success,” Mr Furner said.

Clayfield mother Fabienne Cook, daughter Clementine, 11 and identical twins Banjo and Rupert, 9, will flock to the Ekka on Tuesday with a renewed perspective being three years older since their last show.

Clem Cook, 11 alongside twin brothers Rupert and Banjo, 9, ahead of the first day of the 2022 Ekka. Picture: Zak Simmonds

Ms Cook said there was a great sense of thrill among the community, show organisers and the cattle breeders alike that the show was back.

“I’m so relieved for everyone involved that they are able to proceed with it,” she said.

“To think we are still in the pandemic as well. As a community it feels like we are returning to normal.”

Mr Christou admitted to getting “nervous jitters” when the Omicron waves began to sweep through the South East. He remained nervous right up to the D-Day.

He said he’d be ecstatic if 2022 crowd numbers reached the pre-Covid-19 averages of 400,000 punters.

“Today is going to be big,” he said.

“The Saturday is one of our busiest days.

“There’s a nice forecast and we could get 50,000 on day one. They will be lining out the gates.”

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EKKA FAST FACTS

* On average 21,000-plus entries across 11,000 classes in 55 competitions

* Largest Ekka competitions are canine, woodchop, poultry, horses, stud beef, photography, painting and drawing, creative art and craft, cookery, poultry pigeons birds and eggs

$615,000 – total competition prize pool

* 34-year partnership with the Prince Charles Hospital Foundation for the iconic strawberry sundae

* 10,000 animals

* Nearly 400 showbag varieties

* 900 judges and stewards

* 400 volunteers

* More than 550 exhibitor stands – Queensland’s largest marketplace of its kind

* About 3500 jobs created

* $220 million injection into Queensland economy

* Crowds average 400,000 through the gates in non-Covid-19 times

* Accommodation for more than 1000 onsite