Melbourne Royal Show records best attendance in 15 years with more than half-a-million visitors
More than half a million people went to the Melbourne Royal Show, breaking a 15-year attendance record.
Victoria
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The Melbourne Royal Show has recorded its biggest attendance in 15 years, with 501,784 people going through the gates across 11 days.
Two sellouts and four days of 50,000-plus attendees on the opening long weekend ensured the event started with a bang, while more than 40,000 turned up to the final day on Sunday.
Melbourne Royal chief executive Brad Jenkins said pent-up demand from two years of Covid cancellations had contributed to the “fantastic” turnout – as had the fact more than 179,000 children aged 14 and under had been able to enter for free under a state government initiative.
“Those young kids aged five or six who hadn’t been to a Show had the opportunity to get up close with baby animals, see big bulls, go on a ride and get a showbag,” he said.
“The Show has signalled the return of events to the state. People are willing to come out now and enjoy an event with family and friends.”
In comparison, just shy of 460,000 people attended the 2019 Show, 471,325 in 2018 and 435,133 in 2017.
Mr Jenkins heralded the new-look After Dark entertainment program of Aussie music stars a particular success, with The Veronicas, Sneaky Sound System and Baker Boy drawing the biggest crowds.
“The changes we made in reviewing the site, bringing entertainment and food into the centre of the showgrounds, improving the agriculture experience, having more food, more undercover areas and more seating, really improved the flow,” he said.
More than 4900 animals and 3000 art, craft and cookery creations competed for blue ribbons, while the County Women’s Association served a record 16,027 scones with jam and cream. And 1100 volunteers and 900 businesses brought the Show to life.
Next year will mark the 175th anniversary of the Show, with Mr Jenkins teasing: “We’ve got some grand plans in place.”
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