Unprecedented Ekka deal: How to get 20 per cent off tickets

Ekka organisers are hopeful of a final bumper weekend, with more than 80,000 people anticipated to walk through the gates after a lacklustre week crippled by torrential rain.

Ekka organisers are hopeful of a final bumper weekend, with more than 80,000 people anticipated to walk through the gates after a lacklustre week crippled by torrential rain.

More than 50,000 people are anticipated to arrive on Saturday for the Ekka’s second-last day of 2024, as people take advantage of spring-like conditions after a wet show week and an unprecedented savings offer.

For the first time, the RNA has offered families 20 per cent off tickets for children aged five to 14 and two-for-one rides at the kids’ carnival for the first Super Kids Sunday.

RNA chief executive Brendan Christou said he was acutely aware many families may have missed their Ekka fix due to the People’s Day deluge – one of the wettest People’s Days in memory – and he wanted as many children as possible to enjoy the show on its final weekend.

Brendan Christou speaks to the media at the Brisbane Showgrounds. Picture: Richard Walker

“We’re very mindful of cost- of-living pressures, of course. Families will be feeling (it) the most out of anyone, and this is a family show, so we want to make sure anyone on any budget can come and enjoy the Royal Queensland Show,” Mr Christou said.

“Kids and families are the core of what the Ekka is all about, so, we want to make sure no one’s excluded from that, no matter what their budget is.”

Kaela Crowdy and her son Harvey, 10, come to the Ekka every year and, while they brought some of their own food from home, they said it was great to see budget food options for treats and snacks available, including those on sale at the first ever Ekka Tuckshop.

The RNA launched the new discount food outlet this year. It features a menu of hot food items priced at $5 and under, to help families stick to budget while still enjoying much-­anticipated show treats.

“It means that families who can’t afford the big, ritzy Ekka experience can still come and enjoy themselves. They spend less on food and their kids could maybe go on a few more rides, or have a showbag,” Ms Crowdy said.

Harvey Crowdy, 10, from Murrumba Downs at the Ekka on Friday. Picture: Richard Walker

Wet weather wreaked havoc at the Ekka People’s Day with rides closed, the aerial display cancelled and, for the first time in known history, the People’s Day Grand Parade postponed until Saturday.

“The reason for that is it will chop up the arena, which will make it not so great for the show jumping and a bit dangerous for the next few days,” Mr Christou said on Wednesday.

The Ekka’s traditional Grand Parade showcases more than 500 of the show’s best animals in a parade of champions, from the Grand Champion Fish of Show to the Grand Champion Stud Bull, along with ribbon-winning goats, beef cattle, dairy cattle, cats, dogs, horses and alpacas.

The weekend’s weather forecast is promising much kinder conditions than earlier in the week for those preparing for a big show day.

According to the Bureau of Meteorology, sunny skies and temperatures in the mid-to-high 20s are in order for Saturday and Sunday.

Ekka organisers have implored Queenslanders to make the most of a never before seen deal and head to the showgrounds this weekend.

Cattle will take to the main arena on Saturday for the rescheduled Grand Parade. Picture: Steve Pohlner

For the first time ever families can get 20 per cent off child tickets for kids aged five to 14 and get two-for-one rides at the kid’s carnival.

Also on Sunday at 3pm in the Ag Education Hall there will be the much loved Ekka tradition – the final sale day for produce sourced from the Youth Fruit and Vegetable displays.

The pineapple stand will be giving away free pineapples, while fruit and veggies will be sold at dirt cheap prices. Any produce not sold Sunday afternoon will go to food rescue organisation, OzHarvest.

110 Ekka food vendors will offer items for $10 or less, and bundles starting from $7.50.

The organisers are hoping the specials will help keep attendance numbers strong on Sunday with 45,000 people through the gates on Friday and even more expected on Saturday.

“If the weather holds, which is looking fantastic at the moment, we’d expect well over 50,000 tomorrow, and it’s just fantastic to see Queenslanders coming out and enjoying the great weather now,” Mr Christou said.