Cairns Show highlights include Airtime FMX, Rooftop Express, Chainsaw Racing
Here’s your guide to the must-have showbags, new rides and live events at this year’s anticipated Cairns Show. FIND OUT MORE
Cairns
Don't miss out on the headlines from Cairns. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A CROWD-pleasing line-up of spectacular rides and must-have showbags are expected to be a big drawcard when Cairns Show returns this week.
Showbag Warehouse owner Gordon Richards said 36 pallets of showbags would be unloaded in time for the start of Cairns Show on Wednesday, which will run through to Friday.
“We have some new showbags this year, Minnie Mouse, My Little Pony, Little Mermaid and Minecraft,” he said.
“The little mermaid is one of our top selling deals bag. It has a backpack with a mermaids tail on it, it’s a backpack with a difference, there’s a hoodie type beach towel, electric toothbrush, bubble bath liquid.”
Mr Richards said the favourites like the Bertie Beetle showbag, ninja, army, Batman and Spider-Man would return.
“We also have a big range of confectionery showbags, this year we have the mega range show bags, which includes a big chocolate variety, Wizz Fizz, mega sour lollies,” he said.
New rides and entertainment will also be in the mix at Cairns Showgrounds this year.
“There are a few new rides coming up in the sideshow alley and there is the Rooftop Express,” Cairns Show secretary manager Ian Moller-Nielson said. “He musters horses and cattle and puts them on top of the vehicle.
“It’s a man on the horse, he will let out some steers, and let out some horses and he will bring them all back.”
Mr Moller-Nielson said fan favourites like Airtime FMX, pole climbing and chainsaw racing would also be back.
“We usually get crowds between 70 to 80,000 people and last year after Covid we only had a crowd of 59,000 so we are hoping for a bumper crowd this year,” he said.
This year the grounds are expected to be full with old favourites like duck racing and pig racing also on the program.
“Cairns is the largest regional show in Australia. The Sideshow Alley is bigger than the Ekka,” he said.
“Our focus this year has been on family. It’s been hard and tough in Covid times for lots and lots of families and that is why we usually put on about 101 things that are free.
“It is a real family event.”
Throughout the program there will be various interactive musical shows, equestrian events and fireworks.
Mr Moller-Nielson said it also can be an educational day for the kids with lots of fun combined.
“If you’ve got little kids, your kids will spend majority of the time oohing and ahhing,” he said.
“There's things they learn like vast majority of children don’t know where milk comes from.
“We have dairy cattle there. There will be a milking presentation there.”
Mr Moller-Nielson said it didn’t have to be an expensive day for the family.
“You can bring your own water, you can bring your own food, you can sit in the mini grandstand and watch the shows for the whole day if you wanted,” he said.
Over the week there will be a range of competitions to get the crowd involved.
“There are competitions in arts and craft and cooking, photography, pottery, paintings,” he said.
“In horticulture you’ve got things like best mandarin.”
Mr Moller-Nielson said this year he was expecting a lot more interstate guests with the influx of travellers now that borders are opening.
“We have a number of exhibitors from interstate but there’s also people who are just up here on holidays and they will rock in,” he said.
The Cairns Show layout will cover a large area where visitors can watch events at the main arena, fig tree stage and community stage.
“The community stage will showcase a lot of people in the community,” he said.
“It’s great to see the community get together with specific islander dances, Filipino ones and some schools will put on Indigenous dances.”
The show will run from July 13 to July 15 at the Cairns Showgrounds.
SHOW TIMES
Opening times: Opens 9am daily and closes at 9pm just after fireworks.
Eftpos cash out: Near main entrance, outside Fred Moule centre and inside Scott St entrance.
Live events include chainsaw races, pole-climbing, Esky racing, music, kennel club program, equestrian competitions and music.
Tickets: Adults $23
Concession $18
Child (5-13) $13
Child (up to 4) Free
Tickets can be purchased at cairnsshow.com.au
SHOW facts
Opening times: Opens 9am daily and close at 9pm just after fireworks.
Eftpos cash Out: Inside the Main Gate Entrance in front of Cairns show office outside Fred Moule Exhibition Centre
Inside Scott Street Entrance behind Sideshow Alley Rides
Tickets: Adults: $23
Concession: 18
Child (5-13): $13
Child (0-4) Free
Tickets can be purchased at cairnsshow.com.au
More Coverage
Originally published as Cairns Show highlights include Airtime FMX, Rooftop Express, Chainsaw Racing
Millions dropped on upmarket Cairns hostel
Take a look inside Cairns newest hostel that make mouldy bathrooms and stuffy rooms a thing of the past. TAKE VIRTUAL TOUR
Kids heart specialist win for FNQ
Recruitment for a second paediatric cardiologist for Cairns will begin immediately after the state government announced a $1.35m expansion to the region’s critical health service.