Crowd numbers edging closer to record for Australia’s largest regional show
The Cairns Show will edge closer to the record year that helped it achieve the tag of largest regional show in Australia. Here’s 60-plus photos of the people who helped tick over the numbers.
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The neon lights and techno music that brought the Cairns Showgrounds to life will all be packed up after a energising three days, but there will be little downtime for the committee who will immediately look to 2026.
Cairns Show attendance is reportedly crawling back to its record of 82,000 achieved in 2019, which helped the event earn the tag of largest regional show in Australia.
Show Association president Ian Allen said crowd numbers were up 1799 over the first two days on 2024’s count, and before a final check could be completed on Friday, he said “things are looking positive.”
“Last year was 68,000 over three days, this year I think we’re looking at 70,000,” Mr Allen said.
“We’re very, very happy with the people coming through the gates, Thursday night was packed.”
Despite featuring more rides than Brisbane’s Ekka, Mr Allen said he believed the major drawcard were the local exhibitions.
“Right across the show grounds, from the fresh produce, to the animals, crafts; when people know there’s local stuff here, that’s what really brings them in.”
He paid tribute to his marketing team and said the 120th anniversary strategy was to highlight the agricultural offerings.
“They spent a lot of time talking to the people from the country, because that’s a big point of difference, bringing in as much from the country to the city, that’s what locals don’t always get to see.
“And now we start planning for next already – going out there and seeing what local exhibitions and sponsors we can bring in.”
Mount Sheridan’s Shaun Jones and Rachael Beckenham treated their kids Lily and Miles Jones to tornado potatoes on Friday for part one of their family day out.
“They love the rides, it’s been a lot of rides and animals,” Ms Beckenham said.
“We usually come in the morning, do the rides, then we’ll go home and have a rest and come back at night for the fireworks.
“It just gives everyone a break.”
Originally published as Crowd numbers edging closer to record for Australia’s largest regional show
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