Show to build on program success

CAIRNS Show committee is preparing to discuss what went right at this year’s event and what could be improved for next year.

While the show association is still waiting on final attendance numbers, president Ian Allen said the atmosphere was the best he’d seen in more than a decade.

“The popularity of performers like Justice Crew has shown that night entertainment is an important part of attracting a crowd,” he said.

“The agricultural side of it is key as well; the animal nursery and pig racing were extremely popular, as well as our machinery demonstrations.

“We’ll be in touch with the cattle people about getting more for the show next year. They feel it’s something people in the city need to see.”

The event wasn’t without incident. On the final night a woman was treated for injuries after falling two metres on the Starship ride and the show also had to contend with a late power failure at 10.10pm.

Mr Allen said it didn’t cause any major issues due to the rides running on generator power.

“There was enough light from generators that it didn’t cause any major issues and the crowd atmosphere was still ecstatic, but it’s something to take precautions for,” he said.

The next North Queensland show is on in Mossman, and will conclude today at Coronation Park, then the North’s final show is in Tully on Friday and Saturday.

B & B Rides and Games manager Scott Ogg said the action never stopped for showies setting up rides week to week.

“Townsville and Cairns are the big ones up north for us, then it’s back down through Queensland to Brisbane for the Ekka,” he said. “We follow the warm weather. Winter time we come up through Queensland and summer time we’re in Victoria and NSW.”