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Our beloved Show in photos, from 1921 to 1971

Every year since it began in 1921, the Ekka has grown bigger and better. As the Royal Show became the Brisbane Exhibition, and then just the Ekka, it has cemented a place in our hearts.

August 14, 2019 - 6:00AM
The crowd flinches as this ride zooms past in 1949.
1/39The crowd flinches as this ride zooms past in 1949.
A group of boys with their haul in 1956, when showbags were still great value. Picture: Ray Saunders
2/39A group of boys with their haul in 1956, when showbags were still great value. Picture: Ray Saunders
Kelvin Holn, eight months, of Toowoomba, makes sure this heifer doesn’t touch his milk bottle, in 1964. Picture: Jim Fenwick
3/39Kelvin Holn, eight months, of Toowoomba, makes sure this heifer doesn’t touch his milk bottle, in 1964. Picture: Jim Fenwick
A girl enjoying a toffee apple, in 1940.
4/39A girl enjoying a toffee apple, in 1940.
The best view of the Grand Parade in 1970 was from the chairlift. Picture: Jim Fenwick
5/39The best view of the Grand Parade in 1970 was from the chairlift. Picture: Jim Fenwick
Boys line up to get a drink of fresh milk from the Ekka’s cows in 1949.
6/39Boys line up to get a drink of fresh milk from the Ekka’s cows in 1949.
Check out this pram! A mum and her children arrive at the Show in 1947.
7/39Check out this pram! A mum and her children arrive at the Show in 1947.
Anyone in there? This boy makes sure Ned is not still alive, in 1949.
8/39Anyone in there? This boy makes sure Ned is not still alive, in 1949.
Nurses take young patients to the Show, 1950. Note the boy still in his PJs.
9/39Nurses take young patients to the Show, 1950. Note the boy still in his PJs.
Look what I got. 1946, when showbags actually were paper bags, with free things inside.
10/39Look what I got. 1946, when showbags actually were paper bags, with free things inside.
Children visiting the chicks, 1946
11/39Children visiting the chicks, 1946
Small One, a month-old Jersey calf, gets a ride Bob Finnis, a groom on R.J. Crawford's Kingaroy stud, 1961. Picture: Ray Saunders
12/39Small One, a month-old Jersey calf, gets a ride Bob Finnis, a groom on R.J. Crawford's Kingaroy stud, 1961. Picture: Ray Saunders
Pack-up time, 1948. The first exhibition on the site of the Brisbane Exhibition Grounds dates to August 1876.
13/39Pack-up time, 1948. The first exhibition on the site of the Brisbane Exhibition Grounds dates to August 1876.
Grand parade in 1937.
14/39Grand parade in 1937.
Woo hoo!! Mary Ryan of Redcliffe, and Judy Brannellyn, of Clontarf, in 1952. Picture: Dave Schmidt
15/39Woo hoo!! Mary Ryan of Redcliffe, and Judy Brannellyn, of Clontarf, in 1952. Picture: Dave Schmidt
Dismantling the tents, 1948, after another successful Show.
16/39Dismantling the tents, 1948, after another successful Show.
Leesa Milgate,5, from Chermside, worn out after a big day at the show in 1969. Picture: Len Drummond
17/39Leesa Milgate,5, from Chermside, worn out after a big day at the show in 1969. Picture: Len Drummond
Just you try to run away. 1952.
18/39Just you try to run away. 1952.
Bernard Vicic, 8, of Gailes, tries the fairy floss in 1968 on his first ever time at the Show. Picture: Keith Morris
19/39Bernard Vicic, 8, of Gailes, tries the fairy floss in 1968 on his first ever time at the Show. Picture: Keith Morris
Crowds at Side Show Alley in 1978. Picture: Geoff McLachlan
20/39Crowds at Side Show Alley in 1978. Picture: Geoff McLachlan
Rob Joyce with his Brahman Bull walking back to the cattle pavilion in 1965. Picture: Ray Saunders
21/39Rob Joyce with his Brahman Bull walking back to the cattle pavilion in 1965. Picture: Ray Saunders
Schoolgirls on the main arena dance around a Maypole, 1937.
22/39Schoolgirls on the main arena dance around a Maypole, 1937.
In 1937 many people arrived at the Ekka by tram.
23/39In 1937 many people arrived at the Ekka by tram.
Watch your step, ladies. Schoolgirls coming on to the main arena in 1937.
24/39Watch your step, ladies. Schoolgirls coming on to the main arena in 1937.
The Daring Dancing Girls callout to the crowds in Side Show Alley in 1948.
25/39The Daring Dancing Girls callout to the crowds in Side Show Alley in 1948.
Many of the buildings are unchanged, but not the fashions. Dressed up for the Show in 1948.
26/39Many of the buildings are unchanged, but not the fashions. Dressed up for the Show in 1948.
Plenty of rubbish was left over to clean up in 1948.
27/39Plenty of rubbish was left over to clean up in 1948.
The big ferris wheel lit up in 1970. Picture: E.Slade
28/39The big ferris wheel lit up in 1970. Picture: E.Slade
Exhausted, 1948.
29/39Exhausted, 1948.
The queue to get on a ride, 1949.
30/39The queue to get on a ride, 1949.
Raymond Spresser, 11, of Rosewood, with Carnation Crystal Glow, a Jersey cow from his father's farm. Picture: Keith Morri
31/39Raymond Spresser, 11, of Rosewood, with Carnation Crystal Glow, a Jersey cow from his father's farm. Picture: Keith Morri
Cattle judging in the centre ring Grand Parade, 1956. Picture: Ray Saunders
32/39Cattle judging in the centre ring Grand Parade, 1956. Picture: Ray Saunders
Side Show Alley, 1969, packed with visitors. Picture: Keith Morris
33/39Side Show Alley, 1969, packed with visitors. Picture: Keith Morris
The crowd was in a holiday mood in 1969. Picture: Keith Morris
34/39The crowd was in a holiday mood in 1969. Picture: Keith Morris
Crowds in 1950.
35/39Crowds in 1950.
Grand Parade, 1921. Picture: Andy Burnett, supplied by Bev Doohan of Bridgeman Downs
36/39Grand Parade, 1921. Picture: Andy Burnett, supplied by Bev Doohan of Bridgeman Downs
A sea of humanity, 1950.
37/39A sea of humanity, 1950.
My new friend, 1949.
38/39My new friend, 1949.
Part of the Fruit and Vegies from the Moreton District display, 1948.
39/39Part of the Fruit and Vegies from the Moreton District display, 1948.
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Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/questnews/our-beloved-show-in-photos-from-1921-to-1971/image-gallery/fe03441571311df4d3e1c6dc6d872204