The Royal Hobart Show is an annual event held in October at the Royal Showgrounds in Glenorchy, Tasmania, Australia. It is the largest of the Royal Shows held in cities and towns around the state by the Royal Agricultural Society of Tasmania. The event focuses on the rural exploits of Tasmanians with events such as livestock judging and wood chopping.[1] Also popular at the event are show bags and rides.[2]

Royal Hobart Show
The Royal Hobart Show from the Brooker Highway
Also called'The Show'
Observed bySouthern Tasmania
TypeSouthern public holiday
SignificanceRoyal Agricultural Society of Tasmania
CelebrationsAgricultural displays, sideshows, fashion parades
DateWednesday through to Saturday, ending on the fourth Saturday in October
Frequencyannual

The show runs for four days, Wednesday through to Saturday, ending on the fourth Saturday in October.[3][4] The Thursday is a public holiday in the south of the Tasmania, known as Hobart Show Day. The Friday night traditionally has fireworks.[5] The Saturday is known as family day and usually involves many discounts and savings on showbags and rides from the other days.

In many ways it can be considered similar (although smaller) to the Sydney Royal Easter Show.

History

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The first edition of the show was in 1822, and it was held near Salamanca Place.[6]

The Great War cancelled the show from 1915 to 1918, and also 1940 to 1944 due to World War II.

At the 1968 show, stuntman Adrian Labans fell 50 feet (15.2 m) to his death from a high wire act.[7]

In June 2020 that years show was cancelled due to restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia.[8]

References

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  1. ^ Lucy Shannon (25 October 2013). "RAW puts out a helping hand at the Royal Hobart Show". ABC News. ABC News (Australia). Retrieved 14 August 2021.
  2. ^ Showground, RAST Hobart (2016). "BBX Royal Hobart Show – RAST Hobart Showground". hobartshowground.com.au. The Royal Agricultural Society of Tasmania Hobart Showground.
  3. ^ Global Pty Ltd, Public Holidays (2016). "Royal Hobart Show 2016 and 2017 - Public Holidays Australia". Public Holidays Global. Public Holidays Global Pty Limited.
  4. ^ Tourist Tasmania, Reception (2016). "Royal Hobart Show - Discover Tasmania". State of Tasmania. Tasmanian Government.
  5. ^ ROGER HANSON. "Royal Hobart Show crowds blow in for fun, fireworks despite big wind". The Mercury.
  6. ^ Richards, Blair (23 October 2010). "Show crowds flock in". The Mercury. Davies Brothers. Retrieved 27 July 2011.
  7. ^ "Moment of horror - 50,000 spectators see death fall". The Age. 25 October 1968. Retrieved 26 June 2015.
  8. ^ Lehman, Ros (6 June 2020). "'Won't be the end': Royal Hobart Show cancelled, but smaller event on public holiday planned". ABC News (Australia). Retrieved 5 April 2021.
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