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Thousands of thrill-seekers and junk-food junkies flocked to Sydney's Royal Easter Show for the opening day of the epic event.

Excitement was bubbling as the massive crowd made their way through the gates early on Friday morning.

And while there's plenty of fun and excitement to be had on the rides and with the games - it seems the true joy comes from working at the event. 

Hidden among the flashing lights, bright signs and loud squeals are the colourful characters who make the amusement come to life.

From crazy carnies who have spent half their lives travelling with the show, to horror house entertainers who are only here to make a quick buck - the show is a mixing pot of cultures from across the globe.  

Daily Mail Australia ventured to Sydney's Olympic Park to discover what has drawn all of these people to the 'carnie life'.

'Cookie' (pictured) has been traveling with various shows for 30 years. At the tender age of 19 he left his home in Queensland after a chance encounter with some carnies back in 1989

'Part of the business is putting up with rude people. 'If you have someone who is rude to you, you just brush it off your shoulder – you have to,' Cookie said

Ride operator Ben Keyes (pictured) said he was just walking down the street in his home town of Newcastle one day when 'a bloke asked me if I wanted a job'

Mr Keyes said he very quickly became a full-time 'showie', travelling from show to show. While he spent his days at the show, Mr Keyes said it was an eerie gig. 'You physically go to the show every day, but you're never really at the show,' he said

Dane Wood is one of three guys covered in tattoos who run the Rock'n Tug boat ride. While manning the rides is fine, he said, he still prefers the games. 'I like to take money off people,' he said with a cheeky grin

Ben Keyes, who operates the Wave Swinger, stumbled into the wild world of a traveling carnie when he was young. 

He was walking down a street in his home town of Newcastle one day when 'a bloke just asked me if I wanted a job'.

Mr Keyes said he very quickly became full-time, travelling from show to show.

'Cookie', who runs one of the many Crazy Clown booths, has been travelling with various shows for 30 years. 

He left his home in Queensland at the tender age of 19 after a chance encounter with some carnies back in 1989. 

He began running games and operating rides and fell in love with the lifestyle. 'The best part is meeting different people from all different nationalities,' he said. 

'Apart from my family, this is the best part of my life.' 

Jenifer Linzmeier, from Germany, spent the morning blowing up balloons for the balloon popping game. She said she was hoping the machine would be fixed by Saturday, when floods of people are expected to show up

The show is filled with people from across the world who are looking to make some extra cash over the busy Easter period 

The glamorous dancers in the parade made quite the scene in their showstopping blue and purple outfits. Performances are a big part of the show, with dancers, musicians and sometimes even animals wearing clothing taking to the stages built across the showground

It's not an easy life though, he said. 'A lot of people do ask me how easy it is to be travelling. I say it is as easy or as hard as you make it.   

'The hardest part is that as you get older it does get harder.

'Part of the business is putting up with rude people.

'If you have someone who is rude to you, you just brush it off your shoulder – you have to.'

'You physically go to the show every day, but you're never really at the show,' he said.

The Royal Easter Show attracts a mix of people. Many young travellers have jumped at the chance to work at Sydney's iconic show, but some workers have been around for decades.  

Craig has spent 35 years working at the Royal Easter Show, and Dane Wood who has been here for 20 years.

Craig (pictured) has been coming back to work at the show for the past 35 years. He has been tasked with running the dodgem cars this year

The Globe of Death team have flown to Australia from Shanghai to risk their lives with incredible stunts all for the applause of the appreciative crowd

Collen Knapp, from Illinois, enjoys the thrill of working in the Haunted House

Rebecca Ponting's hair fits perfectly with the fairy floss stall. She usually sells the show bags, which she prefers. 'This takes a lot of patience, making fairy floss,' she said

Brenda Morrison (pictured) is here for the money. This is only her second year working here, but she said it was pretty easy work. After a shift, and only if it is quiet, staff get to take a spin on the rides. Her favourite is the Wave Spinner 

The two men said the travel and the chance to meet different people was what kept them coming back for more.

Mr Wood, who is covered in tattoos, was standing guard for the Rock'n Tug boat ride along with his mates.

And while manning the rides is fine, he said, he still prefers the games. 'I like to take money off people,' he said with a grin.

This year the event features sky-high acts and a smorgasbord of food set to get hearts pumping and tantalise tastebuds.

Gates opened on Friday morning for the almost 200-year-old event, which runs until April 23.

Organisers have elevated the show's night-time entertainment, with a hot air balloon featuring trick-performing aerialists the star attraction.

The day was filled with roaming performers, all hoping to keep the audience entertained with their roaring talent

Friday was relatively quiet, but Jennifer Linzmeier expects Saturday to packed with punters hoping to win big in the games 

The world-first performance will be accompanied by dare-devil motorbike riders from Shanghai, who take on the largest Sphere of Fear, also known as the Globe of Death.

As well as new attractions, the show still has the old favourites - with 14,000 animals, rides for all ages and 350 show bags. 

Food options continue to expand, with a new food truck zone and outdoor 'tucker box' featuring open-fire cooking. 

The show has also doubled the amount of its own beer, the 'Showstopper' - brewed by Mona Vale's Modus Operandi Brewing Company - after it sold out halfway through last year's show. 

More than 800,000 people visited the show in 2018. Organisers are hopeful the school holidays will bring even more through the gates this year. 

Young travellers have jumped at the chance to work at Sydney's Iconic show, which runs from April 12 to April 23

The Wave Swinger is a popular ride for many. Thrill-seekers are lifted about 15 feet in the air and whiz through the air

The parade, which happens multiple times though the day, is themed around the award-winning movie The Greatest Showman 

The Haunted House will have excited showgoers screaming, thanks to the incredible performers who are committed to their roles

Performers stunned the ground with their outrageous costumes during Friday's event