Record 20,000 punters attend for Royal Hobart Show day one

Despite blustery winds and the occasional shower, punters streamed through the door for Thursday’s grand opening of the Royal Hobart Show. Watch the highlights and see what’s on for today.

Bumper crowds pushed through the cold snap and odd shower to surge through the Royal Hobart Show’s ticket gates on Thursday, marking a milestone attendance for the event.

With a dusting of snow on the mountain and a chilly average temperature of just 14 degrees, Royal Agricultural Society Tasmania (RAST) CEO Scott Gadd said he was “surprised” by the large numbers through the gates – the highest in recent years.

“Numbers are very clearly bigger than last year’s attendance on the public holiday – that was over 20,000 so we hope for many more,” he said.

“Last year’s Thursday attendance was also our largest in the last 10 years so this year has just sailed past any of our estimations.”

Mr Gadd said final crowd number for Show Day would not be known until Friday.

Friends Hannah Jager 15 and Matilda Steele 15 at the show for the first time. Day one of the Hobart Show 2023. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Mr Gadd couldn’t place a finger on the reason for the soaring attendance but chalked it up to changes in the management and organisation of the show.

“We have really let the younger people on our board have more of a say in how we run the event and the way they want it set-up,” he said.

“It could also be due to the location at the Regatta Grounds and that we have really mastered the show’s planning this year. Even the increased budget for our entertainment and advertising could be behind it.”

While crowd numbers typically taper off after day one, show-goers deterred by the cold weather tend to return on the weekend, Mr Gadd said.

Saturday is forecast for an overcast high of 22C, with showers in the late afternoon and evening.

Many visitors decided to brave the blasts of icy weather instead for the first day of the show, Hobart teenagers Hannah Jager and Matilda Steele attending the event for the first time.

“We’ve both never been before,” Matilda said.

Twins Harrison and Eloise Young, 7, with their showbags. Day one of the Hobart Show 2023. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“When you have the day off, it gave us the excuse to go and so far it’s been pretty good. There’s plenty of people that we know – it seems like everyone is here.”

Showbag stalls were surrounded by crowds of people early on Thursday, with twins Eloise and Harrison Young, 7, discussing their favourites from the many on display.

“I like the army one – it’s got a vest, a helmet, a toy gun, a pencil, binoculars and it’s really cool,” Harrison said.

“The Sensory bag has lots of really cool things in it like a puppet and a bubble wand – there’s loads in the bag,” Eloise said.

Despite the cold weather, both Eloise and Harrison said the slushies were the “yummiest thing” at the Regatta Grounds, with novelty slushie cups seen in everyone’s hand proving the item a popular purchase.

“I got grape and orange in mine, but there was a lot of flavours to choose from,” Harrison said.

Crowds enjoyed carnival rides and shopping at stalls and the Royal Hobart Show’s organisers celebrated the event’s rich agricultural history and tradition.

Part of this tradition includes the presentation of the annual Living Legend of the Show award in recognition of the contribution to the Show and RAST.

This year’s recipient was woodchopping champion Ian Scott.

The Huon Valley man was a national and state representative for the sport, still holding two World Records and 70 state titles, and has been involved with the competition at the Hobart Show since 1964.

Highlights for Friday:

9am: Shetland ponies judging at the Tasmanian Equestrian Centre (Lauderdale)

9.30am: Gundogs and Non-Sporting dog judging at the Royal Canin Kennel marque.

10am, 12.30pm, 3pm, 5.15pm: Pandara Kelpies show next to show bag stalls

5.20pm: 300mm Royal Hobart Show Hardhitting Championship Final at the Woodchopping Arena

9.30pm: Fairbrother Fireworks at the Grandstand

All day: Art on Show exhibition at Hobart City Hall

Originally published as Record 20,000 punters attend for Royal Hobart Show day one