The Show goes on: Thousands flock to 70th Royal Darwin Show weeks after Covid cast doubt over event
Thousands of showgoers have flocked to the Royal Darwin Show to enjoy the best of the Top End’s agriculture and entertainment after doubts it would even go ahead after a recent Covid outbreak.
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THOUSANDS of showgoers have flocked to the Royal Darwin Show to enjoy the best of the Top End’s agriculture and entertainment after doubts it would even go ahead after a recent Covid outbreak.
It was an event that almost slipped away from the community after the NT’s Covid-19 outbreak threatened to axe the Show for the second year running.
Royal Darwin Show chief executive Cherry Court said despite some uncertainty in the lead up, the Show had been well attended on its 70th anniversary.
“It’d be close to one of the biggest crowds we’ve ever had on a Friday,” she said.
“It’s been a very big turnout.
“When you have such an unusual year, people make up their own minds about whether they want to come along.”
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She said the strong support shown meant that organisers were doing something right.
“It’s a great feeling to know that all of our stakeholders and community wanted to participate this year,” she said.
“It means that we’re staying relevant and people keep coming back to the Show for more.”
Ms Court said it was estimated the 2021 Show would bring an economic benefit of $20 million to Territory.
She said another year without income from the Show would have had “a devastating effect” for many people.
Meanwhile, with the Alice Springs and Tennant Creek legs of the Show having already fallen victim to the Covid-19 pandemic, this year’s circuit through the Territory has not been without some disappointment.
Lifelong amusement ride operator Charlie Gardner said he was thrilled to welcome the crowds in Darwin, but cautioned that “Covid isn’t over yet” for him and his business.
“This year’s show is 100 per cent better than last year’s,” he said.
“We’re very happy to be operating, because we were down in Alice Springs a couple of weeks back and they had to cancel the show. In this country, you need a lot of money to move around because it’s big distances and lots of vehicles, and the expenses are going up and the profit margins are going down.”
Mr Gardner said many of the shows that he usually works around the country later in the year had already been cancelled.
He said operating amusement rides and games ran deep in his veins.
“It’s our whole life really,” he said.
“My father came into the business by marrying my mother, and my mother’s family had their business in Melbourne selling dolls and novelties at the Royal Melbourne Show.
“I’m 61, and Dad was in the business most of his life, so we’ve been in the business for the guts of 100 years.”
Mr Gardner said he’s seen a lot change in his industry over the years, but he’d never thought about giving it up.
“Lifestyle has changed a bit, because it’s a pretty competitive business,” he said.
“It’s not all love in this caper.
“All we need is the public support wherever we go, we’re only as good as the customers we have.”
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