From Farm to Fairground - A Look At The Adventure Of Agriculture
Over the fields and far away, the farming culture has come a long way - and progressed into a show-stopper.
In 1848, a group of farmers from the Moonee Ponds creek area, took it upon themselves to promote 'Ploughing Competitions', in order to create more than a passing interest in the tepid reception the Agricultural Show received.
Been to a Royal Show lately?
Little did those farmers know, two centuries later, the sheer enormity that would grow from their efforts.
The goliath Royal Melbourne Show, along with other agricultural displays around Victoria, drew an estimated two million visitors this year. That's a whole lot of interested people, right? Then wait till you hear this. According to the ACAS, with more than six hundred agricultural societies across Australia alone, and consisting of our nation's longest ever running institution, an expected ten million will enjoy this year's combined events all up.
The history of the show holds a curious and evocative charm. The Agricultural show once centered, of course, around livestock and cultivation. With a sprinkling of sheep shearing and cooking competitions. Show-bags were free, and handed out as 'sample bags'. Then it seemed, the circus came to town. The side-show alleys moved in, and human curios quickly become a feature of the exhibition. Education was suddenly accompanied by entertainment. For here, you could find mesmerizing spectacles, such as Sarina, 'The Bullet Proof Lady', alongside Princess Pontus 'The Amazon Giantess', and animal oddities like Dinny - apparently once the largest pig on the planet.
And while baking competitions still play an integral role in these events, the anomalies have given way to a modern form of the spectacular. A thrilling plethora of bright lights and adrenaline-inspiring rides now await the patron. Delectable aroma scent's the air; hot jam doughnuts, homemade fries, and a mind-boggling array of cakes weave between the dizzying attraction of demolition derbies, monster trucks, show jumping and even celebrity appearances. Slim Dusty and Johnny O'Keefe were both tent show performers, while this year, Melbourne's show hosted the cast members of Big Brother.
In 1848, a group of farmers from the Moonee Ponds creek area, took it upon themselves to promote 'Ploughing Competitions', in order to create more than a passing interest in the tepid reception the Agricultural Show received.
Been to a Royal Show lately?
Little did those farmers know, two centuries later, the sheer enormity that would grow from their efforts.
The goliath Royal Melbourne Show, along with other agricultural displays around Victoria, drew an estimated two million visitors this year. That's a whole lot of interested people, right? Then wait till you hear this. According to the ACAS, with more than six hundred agricultural societies across Australia alone, and consisting of our nation's longest ever running institution, an expected ten million will enjoy this year's combined events all up.
The history of the show holds a curious and evocative charm. The Agricultural show once centered, of course, around livestock and cultivation. With a sprinkling of sheep shearing and cooking competitions. Show-bags were free, and handed out as 'sample bags'. Then it seemed, the circus came to town. The side-show alleys moved in, and human curios quickly become a feature of the exhibition. Education was suddenly accompanied by entertainment. For here, you could find mesmerizing spectacles, such as Sarina, 'The Bullet Proof Lady', alongside Princess Pontus 'The Amazon Giantess', and animal oddities like Dinny - apparently once the largest pig on the planet.
And while baking competitions still play an integral role in these events, the anomalies have given way to a modern form of the spectacular. A thrilling plethora of bright lights and adrenaline-inspiring rides now await the patron. Delectable aroma scent's the air; hot jam doughnuts, homemade fries, and a mind-boggling array of cakes weave between the dizzying attraction of demolition derbies, monster trucks, show jumping and even celebrity appearances. Slim Dusty and Johnny O'Keefe were both tent show performers, while this year, Melbourne's show hosted the cast members of Big Brother.
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