On Tuesday, 22 August 1876, bugles sounded, bands played, steam engines whistled and an artillery salute thundered across the showgrounds. The first Brisbane Exhibition had begun.
Now, 132 years on, the “EkkA”, as it is affectionately known, retains its status as a Queensland icon, our biggest and most loved event and an essential part of our history. Its Bowen Hills home, amazing displays and the thrills of Sideshow Alley are all a part of why this yearly event is so important to both locals and visitors alike.
And now, a new book from University of Queensland Press – Showtime: A History of the Brisbane Exhibition by Joanne Scott and Ross Laurie (to be published 4 August 2008) – offers an illustrated and in-depth look at Queensland’s favourite show.
Celebrating the best of when the “country comes to town”, Showtime explores everything from the entertainment and food of the main ring and Sideshow Alley to what it’s like to work at EkkA.
The authors drew research from records of the Royal National Association from 1875 onwards, published and unpublished government sources, newspapers, memoirs, interviews, photographs, films and artefacts.
Wonderful anecdotal and personal stories feature alongside the broader history. Through the window of EkkA, Showtime provides a fascinating sense of Queensland’s history and development over time.
Showtime offers a trip down memory lane, a chance to celebrate Queensland’s favourite show and relive your own EkkA memories of:
- the grand parade
- Sideshow Alley
- the woodchop
- pavilions filled with poultry, produce and paintings
- the fascinating characters working at the show
- dagwood dogs and strawberry ice-cream sundaes
Featuring dozens of rare photographs and illustrations, Showtime explores the EkkA’s rich past, discusses its enduring place in our culture and imagines its future.
Book launch
Her Excellency, Ms Quentin Bryce, the Governor of Queensland, will launch Showtime at the opening of a major social history exhibition, 10 Days in August: Memories of the Ekka, at the Museum of Brisbane.
About the authors
Joanne Scott – is Associate Professor at the Faculty of Art and Social Sciences at the University of the Sunshine Coast. She has published widely in the field of Australian history. She first went to the EkkA at the age of three.
Ross Laurie – is lecturer in Australian Studies at the University of Queensland. He has published in the fields of Australian history, race relations and popular culture. He, too, has been visiting the EkkA since the age of three.
EkkA 2008
This year’s EkkA runs from 7–16 August.
See our EkkA feature for more details of this iconic event, including information on favourites like Animal Boulevard, The Coffee Club Fashion Parades and Nova Live and Loud.
And to get the most from your visit, be sure to check out our practical tips for enjoying EkkA before you go.
