Southport businesses prepare for 112th Gold Coast Show at Broadwater Parklands

GET ready Gold Coast! The annual Show is here — so put your extra day to good use. Here’s everything you need to know about the Gold Coast Show.

SCROLL DOWN FOR EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW AND TOP FIVE RIDES

SOUTHPORT traders are bracing for a bonanza as the Gold Coast Show returns to its spiritual home for the first time in nearly 30 years.

Business owners in the CBD hope the three-day event, starting today, will lure people and families who have not headed out in Southport for some time.

Business owners within Australia Fair have spoken of their excitement the show is right on their doorstep.

Gold Coast Show is on from tomorrow. Photo of Paige Fisher (6) and Flynn Fisher (9) with Tyson the camel and John Richardson from Yapoon. Photo by Richard Gosling

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“They’re hoping, and think, we’ll get a spin-off of having the show here in Southport,” said Australia Fair marketing manager Louise Jurgs.

“It’ll bring a lot of people who haven’t visited Southport before, or been here for a long time to see all the new spaces and development. We’re certainly embracing it.”

The show will be split between Broadwater Parklands, which will host sideshow alley and the rides, and Owen Park, where the agricultural action will take place.

The show was held in Southport for nearly 90 years before moving to Parklands in 1989. It has been held at the Gold Coast Turf Club, Bundall, since 2014, but without the agricultural components.

Paige Fisher enjoying the swings ahead of the show today. Photo by Richard Gosling

Southport Chamber of Commerce board member Jenny Crewes said the show was part of an exciting run to Christmas for the area, following the Gold Coast Marathon.

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“We have the show here this weekend, the World Triathlon in a couple of weeks and the Pan Pacific Masters in November,” she said.

“It’ll be a real boost to our area and for local businesses.”

After last year’s poor turnout at Bundall, Councillor Dawn Crichlow said “everyone is talking about this year”.

“It’s so important that we have the show again,” she said.

Billie Frampton (6) is expecting a terrifying experience at the Dark Ride (Haunted House). Photo by Richard Gosling

“If we had have lost the show, we would have lost the public holiday. Here, we have a public holiday for the people. It’s back to the future this year.

“I want to see kids have a smile on their faces, put the ping pong ball into the clowns’ mouths and gaze in awe at the light show.”

She added the fact the show is free would likely pay dividends for the wider city.

“Accommodation has been helped tremendously. It’s been really positive.,” she said.

“And people will be able to come and go to the show as they please, not worry about making the most of their money spent on entry. They can head out, explore Southport, and take a walk through China Town.”

Photo of reporter Britt Ramsey trying out one of the rides. Photo by Richard Gosling

The Gold Coast Show’s PJ Habner said it would be hard to put a number on how many people are expected to attend.

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“For us to put a number on the show, being that it’s non-ticketed, it’d be a complete guess,” she said.

“It’s certainly going to be significantly bigger than what we’ve seen before.”

She said the expected huge numbers would be credited to the free entry and the forecast great weather.

“We’ve worked hard this year to bring all the elements of a show together, because it’s important to stay true to the roots of an ag show,” Ms Habner said.

“That’s what shows are all about, delivering the best you can and serving up best of the community and what it embraces — from the agriculture to the cakes, woodchopping, arts, craft, photography, entertainment, that’s what it’s all about.”

Major Events Group police Inspector Matt Rosevear said there would be a noticeable police presence over the three days.

“Police will be present at and around the show site to ensure public safety and minimal disruption to local residents and businesses,” he said.

Police would also like to remind residents and pet owners that the Gold Coast Show will have a fireworks display at 8pm tonight and tomorrow, and 7pm on Sunday.

TOP FIVE RIDES

1. SOUNDWAVE

Like an angled dishwasher, spinning you in circles within circles. At night, the music is loud, the lights are bright — “better than Gold Coast’s best nightclub”.

2. SKYWALKER

Australia’s No. 1 extreme thrill ride, spins 24 people 23m in the air and rotates off three different axes.

3. WAVE SWINGER

A machine that sends you flying weightlessly through the air.

4. ENERGY STORM

Be flipped upside down while spinning inside, outside and all around the world.

5. BIG WHIZZER

Classic family favourite.

DON’T MISS: Ferris wheel, Dodgem cars, Big slide, Dark ride, Kiddies bumper boats.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

WHEN: Today (Public Holiday), tomorrow, Sunday, 9am-9pm.

WHERE: Broadwater Parklands: Home of Sideshow Alley, the Showbag Pavilion, woodchopping, arts and craft pavilion, camel rides, pony rides,

a baby animal farm and fairies.

Australia Fair Shopping Centre (level 1): Cookery and cake displays.

Owen Park and Southport Pony Club: Full equestrian program, cattle competition, dogs, goats, animal farm nursery and food trucks.

COST: Entry is free.

HOW TO GET THERE

Tram: Every 10 minutes, 7am-10pm.

Car: Parking at Broadwater Parklands, Carey Car Park.

Parking $10 per vehicle per visit (funds benefit the Gold Coast Show Society). Free disabled parking with official sticker.

Australia Fair parking available. Standard rates apply.  Parking at Owen Park. Southport State School has paid parking available next door to Owen Park.

Bus: A Sunday timetable will apply for all services. School services will not operate, with the exception of routes 3045, 3063, 3065, 3126, 3039, 3065, 3073, 3153. Free bus travel for seniors 8.30am-3.30pm, today.

 Train: Queensland Rail will operate its normal Friday and weekend timetables.

HIGHLIGHTS

The Luminocity Light Festival, Broadwater Parklands and Southport CBD, 6-9pm.

Nightly show featuring fireworks (8pm Friday and Saturday, 7pm Sunday), LED Jet Pack Extreme Show, Galaxy LED Horse Show.

Marina Mirage: Rainbow Sails, Out-of-this-World Laser Beam over the Broadwater.

Nerang St Mall: Laser Tracing, Rainbow Trees, LED Art Projections, Chinese Festival Laser Light.

Showbag Tent: LED Art Projections.

Australia Fair: Lighting installations.

Main entertainment stage, The Great Lawn, Broadwater Parklands, hosts live performances by local artists and groups including headline acts Casey Barnes (today), Ivey (tomorrow) and Peach Fur (Sunday).

Kids’ rides $5 per ride, more adventurous rides start at $7. Ride operators will offer multi-ride discounts at ticket booths. It’s Showtime will offer $30 of ride passes for $25. Visit It’s Showtime Facebook page and follow the links to the Gold Coast Show Event Page. https://www.facebook.com/events/2103205229959741/

Australia Fair Shopping Centre and the Gold Coast Show team to support Yoga 4 Dignity to help make a difference to homeless women. Grab your yoga mat and join instructor Samantha Doyle on The Great Lawn, Broadwater Parklands, tomorrow, 7-8am. Tickets $20. Money raised to benefit the Share the Dignity charity. Visit www.sharethedignity.com.au to register.

ROAD CLOSURES

Expect delays and traffic congestion at the following Southport roads:

• Speed reduction to 40km/h along the Gold Coast Highway between Nind Street and Sundale Bridge, 8am-10pm.

• Closure of parking bays along the Gold Coast Hway between Nerang St and Ada Bell Way until 11pm, Sunday.

• Congestion on Queens St, outside Owen Park, due to Gold Coast Show Equestrian events.