Sydney Royal Easter Show: Bush kids rate 10 best showbags

A panel of expert mini judges have sampled and rated the best showbags out of a whopping 375 on offer at this year’s Sydney Royal Easter Show. These are their top ten picks.

Kaitlyn Hudson-O'Farrell

@KaitlynHudson_O

2 min read

March 4, 2021 - 7:59AM

NSW

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The Sydney Royal Easter Show might not start for another few weeks but these lucky kids enjoyed bags of fun a little early yesterday.

The Show’s annual showbag launch kicked off yesterday in Homebush with a team of 44 expert mini judges invited in to sample and crown the top bags out of 375 between $2 and $30.

Kids from the Glenorie Horse & Pony Club northwest of Sydney were joined by children staying with Royal Far West in Manly, a specialist healthcare service which helps rural kids access developmental and health support.

Jasmine Cook, 9, Emalee Cape, 4, and Liam Cape, 7, sample the Showbags for the 2021 Sydney Royal Easter Show, at The Royal Stables, Sydney Showground, today. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

The Show’s product development and operations manager Shane McGrath said the tradition of giving regional kids the first glimpse at the showbags was “special”.

“We’ve been doing this for over 20 years, the bag inspection followed by the launch the next day where the kids can take some home,” Mr McGrath said.

“It’s a really good opportunity to invite in regional or disadvantaged kids to come and enjoy a day like no other.”

The Pokemon showbag rated highly among regional kids. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

Charlotte Phillips, 10, and Skye McKewin, 9, sample the Showbags for the 2021. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

Among the top 10 picks were Cadbury, Pokemon, Harry Potter and Better Homes and Gardens themed showbags, including the show’s veteran showbag, the Bertie Beetle Retro.

Pony club pals Jasmine Cook and Skye McKewin, both 9, were joined by siblings Emalee Cape, 4, and Liam Cape, 7 to road test this year’s showbags.

Minnie Mouse showbag. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

The Bluey showbag. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

Ms Cook said she was “super excited” to score a handful of showbags before anyone else.

“There were so many showbags, it was so exciting, I was really happy I got an Oreo showbag because they’re my favourite,” Ms Cook said.

Ms McKewin managed to bag the Cadbury Dairy Milk Superbag, voted one of the most popular at The Show.

“I got heaps of chocolate and also bubblegum, I love lollies and I get to go home and share them with my brother,” Ms McKewin said.

Harry Potter showbag. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

Better Homes & Gardens. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

Sydney Royal Easter Show general manager Murray Wilton said he was “excited but nervous” in the lead-up to the event, which begins on April 1.

Mr Wilton said while final capacity numbers were still being finalised with NSW Health, he was “extremely proud” of the 2021 event already.

“We’ll be the largest event in Australia since COVID hit, so we‘re extremely excited but very nervous,” Mr Wilton said.

“We’ve enjoyed pre-sale tickets doubling in demand since 2019, but we’ve also made some changes like a red light, green light capacity system to keep everyone safe.”