Ekka 2023: Huge lines force organisers to open early on People’s Day

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has joined thousands of people at the Ekka for People’s Day, steering clear of the dagwood dog vans after pictures of him eating one last year went viral.

• Budget: People’s Day on $100

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has returned to the Ekka, a year after a photo of him eating a dagwood dog went viral.

Speaking to media on Wednesday, he said he enjoyed the iconic treat despite advice from his staff.

“Against the advice of my staff I ate a dagwood dog last year and I noticed today the number of staff has doubled from last year,” he said.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton at the Ekka in 2022. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

“I know I’ll be physically dragged away from food so I might go jump on a ride or do something else.”

He kept out of trouble by ordering a cup of tea from the CWA.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited the Ekka on Tuesday, opting for a strawberry sundae.

People’s Day got off to an early start, with organisers opening gates early as lines grew outside the ground and by 11am more than 30,000 had passed through.

RNA president David Thomas said the attendance figures so far had been phenomenal.

“It’s going well,” he said.

“Everyone’s happy, the weather’s great. Competitions are all proceeding as we speak.

“We are hoping we might get more than 60,000 people today.

On Wednesday night the normal night-time show will finish a bit earlier, with the Matildas in action in their crucial World Cup semi-final against England.

“We are aiming to wrap the show 10 minutes early,” he said. “We are aiming to wrap it up about 7.50pm so we can make sure people can watch the Matildas kick off about 8pm,” he said.

“We will keep the showgrounds open and keep the food coming and make sure people are entertained.”

Joel and Jenny Taylor got to the Ekka an hour early with their six-month-old Alarik as they saw the lines start on Monday.

Huge lines waiting for the gates to open on People's Day at the Ekka.

“I knew it was going to be a busy one so we thought we’d get in sooner rather than later,” he said

“It’s the first Ekka for our baby. We are excited to show him the animals and the motorbikes,” he said.

All the people in the line were ecstatic to hear the show was opening early.

Simon who arrived with his wife and children said the family were excited.

“We got here so we could get the two for one rides from 9 to 10.30am,” he said

“The kids have never been before.”

Ekka organisers say more 165,000 people have gone through the gates already this year, with tens of thousands more expected today.