 Tell me, what's not to love about an agricultural show? There's the taste of dust and grit in your mouth, and that deliciously familiar scent of fresh cow manure and lanolin tantalising your nostrils. It's good. Yeah! Now, put on ya boots and come for a walk with me around the 2014 Royal Canberra Show. Morsels... Let's start with a wee bit of history. The inaugural Canberra Show was held in 1927, although its origins date back to the year 1908, when the Ginninderra Farmers' Union organised a show at Ginninderra, near the district of Hall. In the years that followed the Show became the most successful event of its type held in the region. The National Agricultural Society was formed in 1961 and development began at the present Canberra show ground site at EPIC in 1963. There was a record visitor turnout with some 15,000 attending the 35th annual Show, which was held at the Canberra show ground in March 1964. The Canberra and local community has continued to support the Show and visitor numbers are now at 100,000. Exhibitions and attractions include farming and livestock; craft and cookery; wood chop; yard dog and equestrian events. There's a petting zoo, sideshow alley, and harvest hall. You can touch a tortoise, watch pigs as they race, see sheep being shorn and cows milked. Look on as the finest beef cattle, merino sheep, cavies, cats and alpaca are being judged. Braver folks (like my friend and fellow blogger, Tara) can ride the Cha Cha, The Hurricane, dodgem cars and various other mind blowing metallic machines. Those less adventurous, like me, can spend a day (or two!) walking from one end to the other in search of kewpie dolls and fairy floss. Postcards 2014 Royal Canberra Show...        Peter and I attended the 2014 Royal Canberra Show thanks to the generosity of the Royal National Capital Agricultural Society (RNCAS). Thank you kindly to the RNCAS for this opportunity! For those who enjoy a little freshly made cotton candy or fairy floss as much as I do, this post will show you how to make it at home. Are you brave enough to try?  Tell me, do you have an agricultural show in your part of the world? What's your favourite attraction at the show?
26 Comments
Lizzy
15/3/2014 12:05:20 pm
Thanks Padaek, well worth it : ) 14/3/2014 09:46:04 pm
You have captured the colour, spirit and excitement of a show perfectly Lizzy! Your collages are like little works of art. I love shows too...particularly the horses and the baking.
Lizzy
15/3/2014 12:06:02 pm
Jane, thanks so much, that's a fine compliment coming from your esteemed self! I love the baking/growing part of Harvest Hall too, but I think my favourite is the livestock! xo
Lizzy
15/3/2014 12:06:43 pm
Francesca, thanks so much! It took me hours to do, so I really appreciate your kind words. I bought myself two kewpie dolls! A fairy and a vintage style!
Eha
15/3/2014 01:17:50 pm
What a lovely collage! So beautifully presented!! To me this seems much more attractive and 'homely' [in an appealing way] than the big Sydney one and makes me wonder why, with only some three hours to travel, I don't 'wander down' to have a look myself one of these years . . .
Lizzy
15/3/2014 02:20:06 pm
Oh yes, Eha, you simply MUST come visit for the Canberra Show one year! The National Folk Festival at Easter is also quite a wonderful event! : )
WOW! What a terrific show! We have our Los Angeles County Fair, but your show is better! I always love seeing the animals. Having grown up in the city, they are really pretty foreign to me. U must say that I just flip for the sheep's faces. There is something so sweet about them.
Lizzy
17/3/2014 01:48:34 pm
Hi Adri, your Los Angeles County Fair must be wonderful! I am like you, a city girl, but I love cows! 15/3/2014 03:32:50 pm
G'day! Looks like heaps of fun Lizzy and one day I'd LOVE to experience your Royal Show! Great photos!
Lizzy
17/3/2014 01:49:02 pm
Hi Joanne, you must come visit Canberra! Thanks for your kind words xo
Lizzy
17/3/2014 01:49:43 pm
Hi Gary, thank you for your kind words! I've never been to the Easter Show in Sydney, would you believe! Nor the Ekka, but I hear that both are wonderful!
Lizzy
17/3/2014 01:50:01 pm
Come visit at show time... or any time xo 15/3/2014 07:40:14 pm
I love everything about agriculture shows. My dad is a retired vet...the smell of barns and , OK, fresh cow manure, bring some of the best childhood memories to me...The Canberra show looks very entertaining! :) ela
Lizzy
17/3/2014 01:50:22 pm
Oh Ela, I didn't know that about your dad! Wow!
Lizzy
17/3/2014 01:50:55 pm
Hiya Janie... I thought this might be your kinda thing! Thanks for the kind words. I loved the tortoise! xo 16/3/2014 11:37:18 am
what a colourful country show! i love seeing the animals and flowers and baking competitions at a country show. wonderful!
Lizzy
17/3/2014 01:51:14 pm
Hi there Elizabeth! Me too : ) 16/3/2014 05:48:41 pm
Colour and light and gaiety abounding! Absolutely a gorgeous event. It would be a dream to get there one day!
Lizzy
17/3/2014 01:51:44 pm
Hello my dear friend... you have summed it all up! Would love you to come visit : ) 16/3/2014 10:42:59 pm
we have a similar event happening in bahrain each year called Ma'ree - an agricultural and animal show. Its a lot of fun especially for my little one.
Lizzy
17/3/2014 01:52:24 pm
Hi Anita... oh wow, your Ma'ree sounds great! Do you have anything about it on your lovely blog? Thanks for your kind words too : ) Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
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Photo Jay Cranon, The Canberra Times
Hello. I'm Liz, a writer, cook and traveller based in Canberra, Australia.
Join me as I share with you my favourite recipes, postcards and morsels from my adventures, conversations with cookery writers and chefs, and news on food and cooking.  Search by topicNB: I use Australian standard measuring cups and spoons in my recipes.
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