In the nineteenth century, a group of colonists in Brisbane established an agricultural and industrial association. Their primary objective was to promote and further develop Queensland's agricultural and industrial sectors while highlighting its lifestyle.
Ekka People’s Day, which is the official name of The Royal National Agricultural (R.N.A.) Show Day, occurs in the second or third week of August and will occur on August 16 this year. Ekka People’s Day typically occurs on the sixth day of the approximately 10-day Royal Queensland Show. This festival is the largest and most renowned annual event in the state of Queensland. The day is also a public holiday, affording all Brisbane residents time off.
In the nineteenth century, a group of colonists in Brisbane established an agricultural and industrial association. Their primary objective was to promote and further develop Queensland’s agricultural and industrial sectors while highlighting its lifestyle. The British International Exhibitions served as inspiration for their intercolonial exhibition held for this purpose. In order to promote participation, the day was designated a holiday. Their efforts were effective, as approximately 17,000 individuals attended the grand opening. Considering that Brisbane’s population at the time was only about 20,000, this was an impressive turnout. Locals viewed this first exhibition, known as the Brisbane Exhibition, as significant because it was the first major event held in Queensland since its separation from New South Wales in 1859. Since then, the exhibition has been held at the same location: the Brisbane Exhibition Ground in Bowen Hills.
Eventually, additional Queensland regions established their own annual events. Southeast Queensland celebrates during the same week as the Ekka People’s Day.
This day has been observed annually, with the exception of 1919, when the Spanish Flu epidemic occurred, and 1942, during World War II, when the grounds were cleared for a staging depot. Originally, the purpose of the show was to showcase agricultural and industrial innovations, but it has since expanded to include more public attractions, although agriculture still plays a prominent role in the festivities. Funfairs, refreshments, and a product known as The Showbag are integral to this experience. Typically, companies and organisations sell refreshments or novelty items in their showbags.
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In the very first show, participants received a free sack of coal, the precursor to the present-day show bag.
In the vernacular of Queensland, ‘Exhibition’ is commonly shortened to ‘Ekka.’
Additionally known as the Royal Queensland Show holiday or the Exhibition holiday.
Each August, nearly 400 000 people travel to Queensland for this festival.
During the week preceding this day, cold westerly winds are common in Brisbane and are known as the ‘Ekka winds.’
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | August 10 | Wednesday |
| 2023 | August 16 | Wednesday |
| 2024 | August 10 | Saturday |
| 2025 | August 10 | Sunday |
| 2026 | August 10 | Monday |
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