Rainy Toowoomba show brought attendances down, but spirits stayed high
Toowoomba’s 160th Royal Show came with a little bit of rain and lots of cheer. See our gallery of what you missed out on if you didn’t make the trip out to the Showgrounds:
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In a tough year for the People First Bank Toowoomba Royal Show, dreary and rainy weather brought down attendances, but with an exciting future development on the horizon, thousands still came out to the showgrounds to enjoy equestrian events, baking competitions, woodchopping, thrilling rides and so much more.
Royal Agricultural Society of Queensland CEO Damon Phillips said it was a challenging year for the show, but he was grateful for the people who still showed up and made the most of what is one of the best regional shows in the state.
Even with some events and activities impacted by the rain, it didn’t stop people at the show from having a blast.
“The fact that we got the night-time show each night and that the laser light show and fireworks were put on was something extraordinary, and for the people who saw that I think they would have thoroughly enjoyed it because it was a great show,” he said.
With attendance numbers at about half of what they usually are, Mr Phillips said one thing kept everyone’s spirits high and that was the reminder that in seven years this would be the site of an Olympic event.
“We’re an Olympic city, an Olympic venue, so a bit of rain won’t take that away from Toowoomba people enjoying themselves,” he said.
Mr Phillips said parts of the showgrounds were getting tired, but as one of the largest showgrounds in Australia, he saw so much potential.
“You can start dreaming big,” he said.
“The Olympic venue and the infrastructure that will go in that will improve not just for the Equestrian and not just for the Olympics, but for everyone’s show experience.”
Scroll through our Photo Gallery:
Originally published as Rainy Toowoomba show brought attendances down, but spirits stayed high
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