Bundy Show "the slowest in years"

THERE may have been record numbers through the gates, but show workers are calling this year's Bundaberg Show one of the slowest in years.

Showtime Amusements worker Lauren Osborne says all shows are doing it tough, but she plans to soldier on. . Picture: Darryn Smith

THERE may have been record numbers through the gates, but show workers are calling this year's Bundaberg Show one of the slowest in years as people tightened their belts.

On the final day of the three-day event yesterday, some rides and games were packing up before 4pm.

One such stall was the shooting gallery, where owner Les Evans said the mix of bad weather and low crowd numbers were to blame.

“People are down across the board,” he said.

Breakdance ride employee Steve Johnson said he didn't think the show merited the three-day program.

“They probably don't need the three days,” he said. “One or two would be enough.

“We will be closed tonight before the rodeo even starts.

“It's quiet enough now at 4pm; there will be nobody left by 9pm.”

Mr Johnson said although it was slow, it could have been worse for the Breakdance.

“Our ride does alright because it's the only one,” he said. “I don't know what the other rides that double up are doing.”

The Big Wheel employee Richie Travis said competition was hard on his ride.

“It's been pretty slow,” he said. “We are down heaps because of the rain, and there aren't many people, plus the other ferris wheel is here. It's a bit disappointing”

But fifth-generation show worker Lauren Osborne said Bundaberg was not the only show with disappointing crowd numbers.

“It has been like this for more than 12 months,” she said. “I really don't think the worst is even here yet.”

Mrs Osborne said while dwindling crowd numbers across the country were a huge problem, she would not give up.

“My family has been doing this for five generations and my three kids will be the sixth, so we will keep doing it,” she said.

“We can't lower our prices because our costs are always rising, but we can find ways to make it better.”

The family business offers discounts for second rides to make it easier on families.

“We give people $5 re-ride passes to come back and we keep making more concessions,” she said.

“We won't stop shows because it's what we do.”

Mrs Osborne said it was now up to show societies to do their part.

“We're making it easier for people once they get inside, but they need to do their bit to get people in,” she said.

“We would encourage all show societies to lower their gate prices because it would benefit everyone.”

Bundaberg Show Society president John Golchert said this was not an option.

“We need to make money as well,” he said.

Although gate takings were up by $5000 for Wednesday on last year, Mr Golchert said scaling back the show would be discussed.

“Putting it back to two days is something we may need to look at, but Friday is traditionally a slow day,” he said.

Originally published as Bundy Show "the slowest in years"