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| Like the previous year, the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW went for "There's No Time like Showtime" and used the same photo for its marketing campaign. |
For the second time in two years, Easter is early this year and will not fall in school holiday time. On a positive, the Royal Easter Show begins on Friday and goes for 14 days.
This year, the Royal Agricultural Society (RAS) will celebrate the shows of yesteryear. The historical exhibition will return and focus on the 1950s.
Getting into the spirit of the past, I will take a look back at what the Royal Easter Show was like a generation ago, focusing on 1993.
Bare in mind, this was at all at Moore Park.
Dates: April 2-13, 1993
Admission & Transport:
Adults - $13
Children - $7
Concession - $10
Showlink tickets were available combining a return rail fare with show entry.
In addition, admission was $5 if attending after 5pm. There was also $5 entry for pensioners (before 12pm on April 5 and 6.
In 2018, it will cost $42.50 for adults if purchased at the gate, $26.50 for Children and $32 for concession. However, discounts apply if purchased online or at a Woolworths Supermarket. Public transport is also included. For an adult, assume it will cost around $10 for transport to and from Sydney Olympic Park.
Parking was available at Moore Park for $5.
Attendance: 855 000 (Organisers hoped for one million).
Highlights
- The street parade through central Sydney returned on April 1.
- Special Display to promote the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games Bid.
- The Hordern Pavilion had a special program of concerts ($15 extra) including Lee Kernaghan, Anne Fitzpatrick, Colin Buchanan, The Choirboys & The Radiators.
- The Home & Garden Exhibition debuted for the first time.
- Australian Defence force Exhibition
- The Grand Parade was held under twilight for the first time.
- 138 000 attended on Good Friday.
- Nightly spectacular based on the book The Silver Brumby.
A record of 209 showbags were on offer from $2 through to $10. Today, more than 300 are on offer and retail for up to $30.
The Super Hero Stand didn't disappoint. Confectionery Showbags were actually better value then than now e.g. M&M's.
Nestle had better bags in 1993 then than now, though they have branched into "superbags" which do offer the better value for money. Budget or midrange ones in 2018 are a little disappointing and have lost the luster of the past.
Triple M offered a simple duffle bag. Note that they offered a can of TAB Clear, when the clear cola drinks were a fad. This bag would not rate against the offerings that Triple M will have this year.
Coca Cola offered it all for just $7.90. Interestingly, they are not selling one this year. Arch rivals Pepsi are following them too.
Source: Coca Cola Amatil Ltd. 1993. "Easter Showbag" (Advertisement). The Sunday Telegraph, March 28: 149.
Finally, I have further material online at my Royal Easter Show archives album on Flickr.
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