More than 100 community shows scheduled to go ahead in 2021 with COVID safe plans
Hundreds of Queensland shows, including the Ekka, have been given the green light for 2021, but there will be some differences. Find out how your local show will change.
Moreton
Don't miss out on the headlines from Moreton. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Thousands of volunteers are working hard to ensure the Ekka and more than 100 community shows will go ahead in 2021.
The COVID-19 pandemic put a stop to all Queensland shows including the Ekka, due to be held from March to December last year – striking another blow to many struggling rural communities.
Queensland Ag Shows general manager Trevor Beckingham said all things going to plan 2021 would be different.
The RNA has also confirmed it is working to put on the Ekka in August this year.
“It is always up to individual show societies to make their own decision based on local conditions but we are encouraging all of our shows to go ahead this year,” Mr Beckingham said.
“We now have a COVID safe industry plan that was approved by the chief health officer in November last year.
“We are hoping that all our shows will go ahead.”
Held from Cairns to Stanthorpe the shows play a vital role in many communities.
“What a lot of people don’t understand is that shows throughout Queensland bring $145 million to the Queensland economy,” Mr Beckingham said.
“These shows are integral to so many communities, most of them have been running for over 100 years.
“Dalby was supposed to hold its 150th show last year, that is continuous shows and they were closed down.
“People were devastated when the shows didn’t go ahead, we had a lot of irate phone calls.
“But it wasn’t our choice, we couldn’t hold an event with more than 100 people.”
Mr Beckingham said the shows also played a vital role in engaging the next generation.
“We still need farmers on the land and people in rural communities and these shows are the best way we can showcase that to the public,” he said.
The Ekka was cancelled for the third time in its 142 year history last year due to COVID-19.
But RNA have confirmed it is working to put on a show in August.
“Like all major event operators, we are looking forward to recovery and are planning for the gates to open in August 2021,” a statement from the organisers read.
“After such a challenging year, the RNA is delighted to be working hard to bring the country to the city once again to celebrate the 143rd staging of the Ekka next year.
“All the unique Ekka traditions the public know and love such as our much-loved competitions, animals, food, sideshow alley, showbags and entertainment will be back while ensuring a cost-effective approach in our comeback year.
“We are committed to delivering those traditional and unique Ekka experiences that the public and our exhibitors come back for year after year.
“We will continue to work closely with Queensland Health on staging next year’s show in line with their recommendations.”
Like all events in 2021 there will of course be a number of changes put in place at the shows including hand sanitising stations, regular cleaning, social distancing, one-way traffic through exhibits and crowd limits inside pavilions.
Mr Beckingham said there would also be modifications at some attractions such as reptile shows to ensure social distancing was adhered to.
Mr Beckingham is heading to Cairns this afternoon to hold a number of workshops with show societies in north Queensland about the new practices.
“We have 14, 500 volunteers throughout Queensland and we can’t expect them to do it alone,” he said.
The first show in Queensland, the Stanthorpe Show, is due to be held from January 29-31.
Woman, dog attacked in latest in spate of maulings
A South East Queensland council is considering what action to take after an unregistered dog jumped a fence and attacked a woman walking her dog.
From courtroom to cabaret: Logan lawyer takes to stage as Billy Joel
By day he’s a mild-mannered lawyer but next week, Logan’s William Boyd will take the cabaret world by storm as piano man Billy Joel in a Footlight Theatre’s latest production.