Western Australia’s most iconic community event was a major success with people thrilled by the old and the new of the Perth Royal Show.
From Saturday 23 September to Saturday 30 September more than 315,000 show-goers, including families, teens, young adults, seniors, and people from all cultures and locations in WA enjoyed eight days of family fun and entertainment.
The busiest day was the public holiday on Monday 25 September, with more than 50,000 taking advantage of the long weekend and great weather. The last two days of the show exceeded all expectations with crowds flocking in for the spectacular evening entertainment program. The eight days saw more than 5,600 community members competing for a coveted blue ribbon or trophy concluding with the WA Governor, His Excellency the Honorable Chris Dawson APM, awarding the Governor’s Cup to the leading livestock exhibitor. The last day saw a team from Northam take out the Young Farmers’ Challenge competition and the Best in Show was awarded for the dog and horse sections.
New attractions such as the thrilling slingshot, the sparkling lights of the Neon Alley, the world’s first interactive fireworks display and WA’s first fully 3D drone show were crowd favourites. Traditional activities were just as popular including the Animal Nursery, livestock exhibits and side show alley.
Royal Agricultural Society of WA (RASWA) CEO Robyn Sermon said this year’s Show was notable for the sense of community pride and the feeling of joy and happiness around the grounds. “This year had a really great community feel with such diversity of showgoers and exhibitors on the site.”
“The support of the WA State Government helped keep entry ticket prices low and our commercial venders reported a great week.
“The Show is WA’s biggest community event that puts smiles on faces and brings the community together to celebrate food and agriculture. We are grateful to the WA community for supporting the show for more than 187 years,” she said.
“While the Bertie Beetle Bag made a very small and late appearance at Show, the hunt for him created lot of fun and games in the last couple of days.”
Highlights from the extensive eight-day program included:
- More than 300 official volunteers help make the show experience special for everyone;
- 3,600 volunteer hours over 1200 shifts including volunteers from 41 different schools;
- More than 17,500 complimentary tickets were given to people with special needs and their families, as well as indigenous groups, multicultural groups and also regional-based families thanks to major event supporter, Lotterywest;
- 6,000 ribbons and trophies awarded;
- More than 4,000 animals on site;
- 1,138 handlers all vying to win a coveted Perth Royal Show blue ribbon;
- 98 performances on the Community Stage;
- 133 roving performances;
- Over 300 Showbags on offer;
- 18,280 LED lights used for the Thunderstruck performance;
- Over 100 hours of horse rehearsal time to make the show happen;
- 200 drones told the story of a farmer coming to Show; and
- Over 180,000 firework and pyrotechnic effects
“Thanks to the Western Australian community and everyone involved in making this year’s Show one of the friendliest and happiest.“
“We could not put this event on without volunteers, exhibitors and competitors, sponsors and partners, members, suppliers, carnival operators and show bag, retail vendors, RASWA Council and Staff.”
“It connects the community, with people coming together to celebrate agriculture from rural and regional WA to greater Perth, it is all about celebrating the best in WA.”
