Ekka public holiday may turn into long weekend

A decision on cancelling the Ekka public holiday and moving it to a Friday to create a long weekend will be made shortly, the state government has announced.

It is still not known whether the state government will cancel the Ekka show holiday but Industrial Relations Minister Grace Grace said she expected a decision to be made shortly.

“I’m in discussions at the moment with the Premier and Deputy Premier, we are looking at our options,” she said this morning.

“I can cancel a public holiday but we would need legislative change to reappoint another day.

“So we’ll be making an announcement soon.”

For the first time in its 144-year history the Ekka has been cancelled two years in a row, marking a devastating blow for the Queensland institution. 

On Monday, it was unclear whether South East Queenslanders will still get their show day holiday next Wednesday, or if it will be moved to a Friday to make a long weekend as was the case last year.

For the RNA and the hundreds of exhibitors already prepared for this year’s Comeback Ekka to start on Saturday the cancellation for just the fourth time in the show’s history could cripple them financially.

RNA Chief Executive Brendan Christou said while the decision was “heartbreaking” ensuring the health and safety of the Ekka community and the general public was paramount. 

“It is devastating to have to cancel this year’s historic comeback Ekka but the current outbreak of COVID-19 means we cannot bring the country and city together safely,” Mr Christou said. 

“It is particularly heartbreaking to have to cancel so close to our opening day.”

RNA chief executive Brendan Christou at the showgrounds. Picture: Liam Kidston

The RNA is still working through options to see whether some competitions can still be safely judged without crowds down the track and whether they may be able to set up drive-through strawberry sundae and dagwood dog stalls like last year. 

Mr Christou said he would be seeking financial support from the State Government if possible. 

“This last minute cancellation of the Show has broad-ranging financial impacts for our not for profit organisation because we also rely on the Ekka to provide a major part of our revenue,” he said.

Sideshow alley was a ghost town Monday as operators started the disappointing task of packing up having not made a penny.

Savanah Fisher, 25, packing up the games in Sideshow Alley after the Ekka was cancelled due to COVID-19. Picture: Liam Kidston.

One ride operator, who didn’t want to be named, told The Courier-Mail their business would usually go through about two truck loads full of stuffed toys at the Ekka.

Some operators will now travel on to the Royal Adelaide Show where they will need to quarantine for two weeks – others said they just wanted to pack up and go home with Delta outbreaks wreaking havoc all over the country.

Mr Christou paid tribute to the thousands of exhibitors who had spent months preparing their entries for competition

Farmer and producer, Jim Christensen of Kilcoy had to load up his 83 cattle to take home after the Ekka was cancelled. Picture: Zak Simmonds

Cattle exhibitor Jim Christensen, of Kilcoy, was one of the last exhibitors to leave the showgrounds on Monday – with permission from Queensland Health – and said that the Ekka was “the biggest event on their calendar”.

“We’ve put a lot of time and effort into it so it’s been a bit heartbreaking,” he said.

Mr Christensen is one of the many farmers who will suffer financially from the cancellation of what was set to be the state’s biggest event since Covid hit last year.

“The Ekka is major promotion for bull-selling season for us,” he said.

“It’s a disaster for the economy, and for us.”

Mr Christensen said although it was disappointing, he understood why the Ekka was cancelled.

“Heath comes first,” he said.

Full refunds will be issued to anyone who had already bought tickets to the show.