Royal Darwin Show 2024: Thrilling rides and entertainment captivate thousands
Whether it was for cakes, rides or showbags thousands of Territorians crowded into the showgrounds for the 73rd edition of the Royal Darwin Show. Check out all the photos.
Northern Territory
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The beloved Royal Darwin Show returned for its 73rd edition with thousands taking advantage of the public holiday to have some fun.
Rides, show games, carnival food and plenty of activities otherwise were open for all to enjoy in a day full of festivities.
Chris Densham and his wife Lili Densham have been travelling the country in their motorhome, and took a brief detour to visit their son and grandchildren in Darwin.
While they weren’t expecting it to be, the Darwin Show day was one of the highlights of their trip to the Top End, enjoying a great family day out.
“It’s been wonderful, I haven’t been to one of these shows in years and years,” Mr Densham said.
“We’ve got a motorhome and stopped in Cairns for a week to come and visit my son and grandchildren in Darwin.
“We didn’t even know it was show day so this was a great bonus for us.
“It’s been lovely, everyone’s happy and we got to watch the kids enjoy themselves on the dodgem cars.”
Meanwhile, an early election win went the way of the CLP when opposition leader Lia Finocchiaro triumphed in the Royal Darwin Show’s annual Celebrity Baking Challenge.
Ms Finocchiaro was up against fellow political representatives as well as last year’s winner Andrew Tombs, the boss of St John NT.
This year’s brief had the contestants bake up a cake utilising the fruit of the year, banana, with some also incorporating the year of the dragon into their sweet treats.
Kate Worden, another previous winner, flew the flag for Labor alongside Brent Potter, who celebrated his cake’s moistness, and Ngaree Ah Kit.
Solomon member Luke Gosling had the sweetest cake, shaped impressively like a banana, while Mark Turner brought out all the stops for his caramal inspired dessert.
However, when the judging based on taste, texture and decoration came to an end it was Ms Finocchiaro’s creation, topped with dragon fruit, that came out on top.
“This is such a great competition to be a part of,” she said.
“It’s really important that people continue to participate so we can have a beautiful show that people can go and look at all the stores and exhibits.
“To be a part of this is amazing and I’m very proud to have this as my first celebrity win.”
Mr Tombs wasn’t far off defending his title, a year after his first attempt at baking got him the win, drawing in second with the CLP’s Marie-Clare Boothby.
ALL THE PHOTOS
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