First things first, what is ‘the Ekka’ and is it somewhere you’d want to go?  The ‘Royal Queensland Show’, more commonly known as the Ekka, is the largest agricultural show (see Glossary below) in the state of Queensland, Australia.  It celebrated its 140th anniversary in 2016, so this year it’s 143 years old.  Although many things have changed over the years, it still represents great value for money for a full day’s entertainment.

The ‘Ekka’ which is short for the ‘Brisbane Exhibition’ goes for 10 days and is held annually in August.  The admission fee allows you to enjoy a wide variety of activities.  You can applaud the winners in the canine competition, see all the young animals in the nursery, be awestruck by the speed and power shown at the woodchopping or get some style tips at the fashion show.

You can get free snacks at the Fresh Food Pavilion and, if you have time, stick around in the evening for the EkkaNITES show which includes live music and a fireworks display, at no extra cost.

If you don’t mind parting with some of your hard-earned cash, then why not try the ever popular strawberry sundae?   This is a wafer cone with vanilla ice cream, chopped strawberries and strawberry ice cream, topped with a bit of fresh cream and a whole strawberry.  Yum!  The strawberry sundae stands are run by volunteers on behalf of the Prince Charles Hospital Foundation in Brisbane and all profits from the sale of these delicious treats go towards funding important medical research.

Head straight to ‘Sideshow Alley’ if you’re looking for more excitement!  Here you can enjoy, for a charge, a range of amusement rides and games.

Other ways of spending your dough include buying a sample bag (or three!) from the Showbag Pavilion, enjoying some of the award-winning food and wine available or picking up a handcrafted item from one of the many stalls.

There really is so much to see and do at the Ekka that you’ll be wanting to go back again and again…

…and again!  No matter how you spend your day at the Ekka you’re sure to learn something new and make some precious memories.

Have you been to the Ekka?  If you have, I’d love to know how you spent your time there.

If you’d like some help with your English, you might consider studying with S. and L. English Lessons.  Get in contact today to arrange your free trial lesson and don’t forget to subscribe to the newsletter for news and special offers.

Glossary

agricultural – relating to farming

show – Australian English term for fair or carnival

value for money – when something is well worth the money you spent on it

annually – once every year

admission fee – the money you need to pay to enter a place or event

applaud – clapping your hands to show enjoyment or approval of something

canine – dog or relating to dogs

awestruck – to be filled with feelings of respect or admiration

woodchopping (also wood-chopping or wood chopping) – a sport where skilled contestants try to be the first to cut or saw through a log (or thick piece of wood)

Pavilion – a building or temporary structure used at public events or for shows

stick around – to stay somewhere for a length of time

parting with (some of) your hard-earned cash – spending money that you’ve worked hard to make

stands – small shops or stalls, usually outside, where things are sold or where people can get information

funding – providing money to make a project possible

Head straight – go without delay to

Sideshow alley – Australian English for an area of attractions which is attached to a larger event (e.g. an agricultural show)

for a charge – you have to pay a fee for something (e.g. activity or ride)

dough – money

sample bag – another name for a showbag

showbag (also spelt ‘show bag’)- Australian English for a bag of goods, often small trial sizes of products or publicity material commonly available at a show

picking up – buying

handcrafted – made by hand rather than by machine

stalls – large tables or small shops used by sellers to display their items for sale at a market or somewhere similar