‘Significantly larger crowds’ Inside 2024’s successful Gold Coast Show

Organisers and attendees reflected on a successful Gold Coast Show weekend as crowds turned up in numbers to enjoy the rides and sunny weather. FULL STORY

The Gold Coast Show continues to go from strength to strength with organisers buoyed by “significantly larger crowds” at the Broadwater Parklands over the weekend.

Show president Josephine Tobias said crowd numbers had been steadily climbing across the three-day event, with figures tipped to eclipse last year’s mark of 120,000 people.

“With Friday being Show day, there was definitely a lot of people and it was a record day for us and on Saturday,” she told the Bulletin.

“Anecdotally, the crowds seems to be larger this year than last year.”

Ms Tobias said the entertainment at the Show this year was exceptional and a real high point for punters.

“I must say, the quality of entertainers that we have here on the Gold Coast, be it from dance groups right through to professional musicians in absolute first class.

“The new expansion to the northern area (of the Parklands), which was just building on to our agricultural components, the traditional components and Dock Dogs with farmer Dave, was amazing,” she said.

Honey on Day 2 at the Gold Coast Show. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Ms Tobias’ daughter, Alana Tobias-Webb, took her own family to the event, saying her favourite part of the Show were the art displays.

“I think the arts is most probably my favourite, like where the kids put in all their paintings and drawings, that’s always really cool to see.

“My daughter loves the rides... it becomes like a whole family event, we’re just waltzing around and the whole family ends up being there.

“I used to hate the ghost trains, but I actually enjoyed going back on it because I used to be so scared of them but I went on it and it was actually amusing,” she said.

Alana Tobias-Webb, Ahlia Tobias-Smith and Kobe Paton on Day 2 at the Gold Coast Show. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Ms Tobias-Webb also said it was a great event for families.

“I think it’s great to see so many families being able to have things to do.

“If I was to drill down on what I really love about it, I guess it’s a great opportunity in regards for just the arts and for people to express themselves,” she said.

Other punters shared similar stories with the Bulletin about how much the Show meant to them.

Waris Hans’ father said his son loves the show and they go every year.

“The people were amazing to talk with, the people who are working on the shops, they’re really great, and they’re very friendly.

“Favourite part of the show was pretty much everything, can’t complain... [the kids] enjoyed it, they did the bumper cars as well, we’ll be back next year,” he said.

Waris Hans on Day 2 at the Gold Coast Show. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Kululu Fenton’s grandmother Angela Leitch said she thought the crowds were much bigger than last year.

“The atmosphere was actually quite vibrant and energetic, there was a lot more people here this year than last year.

“There was so much happening, the people on the stage were great, the farm animals were a real hit with my granddaughter, she really loved those,” Ms Leitch said.

Kululu Fenton (L) on Day 2 at the Gold Coast Show. Picture: Glenn Campbell

“Sideshow Alley was so busy, we really loved the Ferris wheel and you get to look back over Sideshow Alley.

“I like the way that it was integrated with the park as you walked through, bits like the kids swimming area and the bouncy pillow was all kind of brought into the show,” she added.

Originally published as ‘Significantly larger crowds’ Inside 2024’s successful Gold Coast Show