DRIVE IN FOR FREE ENTRY AT THE SHOW
ALL roads lead to Southport from today as the Gold Coast Show throws open the gates to what should be one of its biggest events.
With free entry to show venues and fine weather expected, organisers hope for big crowds to check out sideshow alley, plus the traditional cooking contests and agricultural awards.
Of course, the always-popular dodgem cars are back and Paige and Flynn Fisher (pictured) will be behind the wheel.
SOUTHPORT traders are bracing for a bonanza as the Gold Coast Show returns to its spiritual home for the first time in nearly 30 years.
Business owners in the CBD hope the three-day event, starting today, will lure people and families who have not headed out in Southport for some time.
Business owners within Australia Fair have spoken of their excitement the show is right on their doorstep.
“They’re hoping, and think, we’ll get a spinoff of having the show here in Southport,” said Australia Fair marketing manager Louise Jurgs.
“It’ll bring a lot of people who haven’t visited Southport before, or been here for a long time to see all the new spaces and development. We’re certainly embracing it.”
The show will be split between Broadwater Parklands, which will host Sideshow Alley and the rides, and Owen Park, where the argicultural action will take place.
The show was held in Southport for nearly 90 years before moving to Parklands in 1989. It has been held at the Gold Coast Turf Club, Bundall, since 2014, but without the agricultural components.
Southport Chamber of Commerce board member Jenny Crewes said the show was part of an exciting run to Christmas for the area, following the Gold Coast Marathon.
“We have the show here this weekend, the World Triathlon in a couple of weeks and the Pan Pacific Masters in November,” she said.
“It’ll be a real boost to our area and for local businesses.”
After last year’s poor turnout at Bundall, Councillor Dawn Crichlow said “everyone is talking about this year”.
“It’s so important that we have the show again,” she said.
“If we had lost the show, we would have lost the public holiday. Here, we have a public holiday for the people. It’s back to the future this year.
“I want to see kids have a smile on their faces, put the ping pong ball into the clowns’ mouths and gaze in awe at the light show.”
She added the fact the show is free would likely pay dividends for the wider city.
“Accommodation has been helped tremendously. It’s been really positive.,” she said.
“And people will be able to come and go to the show as they please, not worry about making the most of their money spent on entry. They can head out, explore Southport, and take a walk through China Town.”
The Gold Coast Show’s PJ Habner said it would be hard to put a number on how many people are expected to attend.
“For us to put a number on the show, being that it’s nonticketed, it’d be a complete guess,” she said.
“It’s certainly going to be significantly bigger than what we’ve seen before.”
She said the expected huge numbers would be credited to the free entry and the forecast great weather.
“We’ve worked hard this year to bring all the elements of a show together, because it’s important to stay true to the roots of an ag show,” Ms Habner said.
“That’s what shows are all about, delivering the best you can and serving up best of the community and what it embraces – from the agriculture to the cakes, woodchopping, arts, craft, photography, entertainment, that’s what it’s all about.”
Major Events Group police Inspector Matt Rosevear said there would be a noticeable police presence over the three days.
“Police will be present at and around the show site to ensure public safety and minimal disruption to local residents and businesses,” he said.
Police would also like to remind residents and pet owners that the Gold Coast Show will have a fireworks display at 8pm tonight and tomorrow, and 7pm on Sunday.
WE’VE WORKED HARD THIS YEAR TO BRING ALL THE ELEMENTS OF A SHOW TOGETHER, BECAUSE IT’S IMPORTANT TO STAY TRUE TO THE ROOTS OF AN AG SHOW GOLD COAST SHOW’S PJ HABNER