Residents urged to pack out showgrounds for Toowoomba Royal Show this weekend

After several years of subdued crowds and cancellations due to COVID-19, the Royal Agricultural Society of Queensland is hoping for a massive turnout on the first day of the Toowoomba Show.

(From left) Addison, Ty and Harper Phillips find their favourite showbags at the Toowoomba Royal Show. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Organisers of the Heritage Bank Toowoomba Royal Show are banking on 10s of thousands to flood through the gates today and at the weekend, in turn injecting nearly $20 million into the local economy.

After last year’s event was cancelled due to COVID-19 and previous editions were hampered by severe rain, Royal Agricultural Society of Queensland president Shane Charles said it was “critically important” the 2021 show was well supported by residents.

“The sun is shining, it’s going to be a cracking day at the show, so we’re really encouraging people to get out and support us,” he said.

“We’re trying to promote the best in agriculture and I think our kids need a break after COVID-19, so getting them in front of some entertainment, dagwood dogs and fairy floss will be fantastic.

“It’s critically important the show is successful.”

The RASQ received two welcome boosts this week, with Queensland’s chief health officer Dr Jeanette Young signing off on its COVID-safe plan for the event allowing 50,000 people into the showgrounds.

Thursday also saw the end to the end of the statewide mask mandate.

“We think we’re up over 10,000 people already for the show on day one,” Mr Charles said.

“Thankfully we’ve got no restrictions there, so we’re really hoping for a bumper few days.

“You’ll see lots of handwashing stations, lots of hand sanitiser, we’ll be counting people coming in and out of pavilions, there is cleaning happening every hour.”

Toowoomba Mayor Paul Antonio backed residents to make the most of the newly-created long weekend and visit the show.

The Toowoomba Regional Council agreed last year to give $150,000 in funding to the RASQ to ensure it could run as normal.

“Let’s get out there and support the Toowoomba Royal Show, and get as many people there as we can, because we’re celebrating something very special,” Cr Antonio said.

Since organisers will need everyone’s contact details as part of tracing protocols, Mr Charles urged people to buy their tickets online to avoid long lines at the gates.

“As soon as they get that, they can scan their code and they’ll be able to walk right through, they won’t have to scan in at any of the pavilions, they can get in right throughout the grounds with that one barcode at the gate,” he said.

Mr Charles said the RASQ expected this year’s show to be worth about $19.5m to the local economy.

To book your tickets, head to www.toowoombashow.com.au.

Sixth generation showman Mick Allan takes a break from setting up rides for the Toowoomba Royal Show. Picture: Nev Madsen.