Kids’ Day opportunity for families to save some cash and enjoy the Royal Easter Show

Tuesday’s Kids’ Day is the best opportunity for families battling the cost-of-living crisis to experience what the Sydney Royal Easter Show has to offer while saving a bit of cash.

The Sydney Royal Easter Show wraps up on Tuesday with Kids’ Day. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Monique Harmer

Families battling the cost-of-living crisis and skyrocketing prices at the Royal Easter Show have been advised they should start saving now if they want to go next year.

At the showground on Monday, a family of four would have needed to pay a total of $400 to get in, buy a Dagwood Dog each, go on three rides, and purchase a lemonade and a handful of showbags.

However, Royal Easter Show general manager Murray Wilton said Tuesday’s Kids’ Day was the best time for ­families on a budget to attend, with child tickets half-price at just $16.

“Carnival rides are also two-for-one,” he said.

Showbags were also expected to be heavily discounted.

SKingston Beard, 6, with two mini goats. Picture: Tim Hunter.

“There are already 89 ­showbags available for $10 or less and there will be a lot of discounts because the vendors want to sell them, not pack them up and take them home,” Mr Wilton said.

He said there were also plenty of free things to do at the show and eating at the Big Bush sausage sizzle cost just $5 for a sausage and bottle of water, with proceeds today going to the Nowra Show Society.

Fresh lemonade will set you back a minimum of $7 this year at the show. Picture: Tom Parrish

Economist Saul Eslake said the high prices at the show were another example of the cost-of-living crisis hammering Aussie families.

“Mortgages are up and prices have been rising more than wages,” Mr Eslake said.

“Insurance, electricity and food prices have been going up meaning it is also more expensive to put on the show.”

He said frugal economic management meant that families wanting to go next year should start saving now.

At the Easter Showground on Monday Cristina Gaitatzis from Gladesville said the high prices ruled out turning the show into an annual tradition for her family of five.

The Gaitatzis at the Sydney Royal Easter Show. Picture: Tom Parrish

“We haven’t been here long and we’ve already spent $300 on rides and showbags, but our kids still want more so we still have a fair bit more to spend,” Ms Gaitatzis said.

“Just to get a small hot chips cost us $13, which is a lot.

“Even snowcones costing close to $10 is ridiculous.”

Hannah Bennington, 16, from Five Dock, said she and her friend were cutting down on activities because of the cost.

People on a rollercoaster at the Royal Easter Show on Good Friday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Damian Shaw

“We don’t go on rides anymore as they’re just way too expensive,” she said.

“It seems like everything has doubled in price. Like the toasties are now $4 instead of $2 – it’s crazy.

“We even share food as it’s much less expensive. We try to spend as little as we can and spend our time watching the free shows.”

However. Fouzia Ahmad, 29, from The Ponds said the only way to attend the show was to write off the budget.

Maree Aitchison with Old English Sheepdog Jasmine, winner of Best in Show Dog at the Sydney Royal Easter Show. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Mitch Argent from Queensland wins the World Championship event at the Sydney Royal Easter Show. Picture: Tom Parrish

“We’re expecting to spend about $400 to $500 by the end of the day, we spend most of our money trying all the food,” she said.

“If you come to the Easter Show you should be expecting the prices to be so high.

“You just don’t show up if you’re struggling for money.”

Despite the prices, more than 800,000 people will have passed through the gates by the end of the last day today. The attendance is on par with previous shows that have fallen outside the school holidays

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