Ekka 2018: cheaper for families with more to see and do
It will be cheaper for families to go to the Ekka this year, with the annual show promising new pavilions, new attractions and lots of dagwood dogs.
There are 36 sleeps until the gates open to the 141st Ekka at the Brisbane Showgrounds and visitors can take in the sights, sounds and tastes of the show.
RNA chief executive Brendan Christour said this year’s show would include “amazing” prices for popular tickets.
“Our family and children tickets have both been reduced this year with [tickets for] a family of four costing just $80 and [for] a child costing just $20 at the gate,” he said at the official launch on Thursday.
“We have also frozen the prices of our combined adult child pass and the concession ticket.
“The Ekka is already great value, with over 70 per cent of activities free once you come through the gate but these offers make it even better value.”
The 2018 show will introduce augmented reality, an Australia versus New Zealand woodchopping competition, host QLD sheep shearing and wool handling competition and a dagwood dog eating contest.
Anyone who feels up to the challenge, or just really loves dagwood dogs, can face off against competitive eater Cal Stubbs in a dagwood dog eating contest.
At the launch, Mr Stubbs ate about six dagwood dogs in 60 seconds.
A new woodchop arena and animal pavilion will also open in 2018.
Following the 2017 Ekka, the dairy sheds were demolished as part of the RNA showground redevelopment.
RNA president David Thomas said the new animal pavilion would be a world first.
“The animal pavilion located on oval two is the building our Ekka exhibitors have been waiting for,” he said.
“It’s the only building of its kind in the world, specially designed to house animals during the Ekka but to be an event space and carpark for the rest of the year.
“This year, the ground and first floor will be home to beef and dairy cattle, poultry and dairy goats.
“It’s another two whole football fields of space for the animals at the Ekka.
“The remaining floors of that building will be completed after Ekka with the full building in use by the 2019 show.”
The EkkaNites program will run from 6pm to 8pm every night and will feature monster trucks, FMX riders and Rooftop Express’s new show, the Wild Colonial Wagon Chase.
There will also be a new and extended fireworks display.
2018 ticket prices:
Adult pass (15 years of age and over) - $35
Child pass (five to 14 years of age)- $20
Concession pass (students, seniors and other concessions) - $25
Little Ekka pass (four years of age and under) – free
Family pass (two adult and two children) - $80
Adult and child pass – $45
Twilight pass (entry valid after 6pm) - $20
Ten-day pass (only available online until August 9) - $100
The Ekka will run from August 10 to 19. For details on what’s on offer this year, head to www.ekka.com.au