The Royal Adelaide Show is an annual carnival and agricultural show run by the Royal Agricultural and Horticultural Society of South Australia. It is held at the Adelaide Showground, a dedicated venue located in Wayville, a suburb of Adelaide, South Australia.
Core to the show are the competitive entries, such as livestock, pets, arts, food, beverages, and displays of skill. The show features entries in 63 competitive sections, and attracts over 31,000 entries annually. In addition, the show features entertainment, exhibitors, sideshows, rides, and showbags. It is attended by up to half a million people every year, making it the state's biggest event. It is also regarded as "the longest running event on the South Australian calendar".
History
Colonial era
The South Australian Agricultural Society was founded on 28 October 1839 "for the advancement of agricultural and pastoral knowledge, and to promote the development of the natural resources of our noble colony". On 8 December 1840, the first Show was held in the yards of Fordham's Hotel, Grenfell Street, and was an exhibition of produce which included vegetables, cereals, cheese, wool, and leather. The first show of livestock, the Agricultural Exhibition, was held on 20 October 1843 at Auction Mart Tavern, Hindley Street. From 1844 to 1859, the Agricultural and Horticultural Shows, displaying both produce and livestock, were held at Botanic Park, and for many decades, shows were held twice a year in Spring and Autumn. The show was briefly suspended in 1852 during the Victorian Gold Rush.
In 1856, the society held its first art exhibition: there were 178 entries, with 30 being from the well-known artist S. T. Gill. According to the South Australian Register (28 November 1867) "A special Grand General Show was held from Thursday 7 November 1867 to coincide with the Adelaide visit of Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh". After the duke's visit, the society and show went on to receive his royal patronage in 1868.
In 1887 the society ran their Spring Show concurrently with the Adelaide Jubilee International Exhibition, from 14 to 17 September, but at the "Old Exhibition Grounds" on the other side of Frome Road. The show had been extended from two to four days on account of the great interest shown, particularly in the display of sheep, which was of a very high standard. From May 1895, the Autumn Show was held at a new venue, the Jubilee Exhibition Building on North Terrace, and the horse events were held at the nearby Jubilee Oval. In 1896, the first Live Stock Show was held at the new site.
20th century
There were no shows held in 1915–1919 due to the effects of WWI and the Spanish flu epidemic. In 1925, the show became an annual event, and moved to Wayville. A report regarding the new site stated: The competition for best design for the new showgrounds drew fifty responses and twenty six firm designs. Mr C R Heath's design was awarded first prize of £500. Designs came from New Zealand, England and all Australian States. The Building Committee, consisting of the President and Vice-Presidents and the Secretary, was appointed to supervise the work and confer with the architects and to report to the Executive. A railway siding was negotiated with the Railway Department, drainage and sewerage problems addressed, negotiations initiated with the Tramways Trust for an 'electric car' service, grading and levelling planned, and tenders called for erection of facilities. A fine draught horse pavilion has been erected and the building of a sheep pavilion commenced.The site's main pavilion, Centennial Hall, was opened on 20 March 1936. Between 1940 and 1946, shows were cancelled, with the exception of a Wine Show in 1946, due to WWII and the military occupation of the grounds.
In February 1966, a soccer match between traditional rivals Hellas and Juventus on the opening night of the show created much interest. Another area of interest was the Decimal Currency Board's display, with the 'Dollar Girls' on hand to explain the new monetary system to be introduced.
In the 1960s to 1980s, new competitive sections for the blind and disabled were introduced, plus an additional four classes in the knitting and crochet section for the over 70s. Main Arena attractions included the Pacific Islands Regiment Band, which consisted of 75 Papuans and New Guineans from all parts of the territory. They joined with the Royal Australian Navy Band, the Band of the Southern Command, the Band of the Central Command, and the SA Police Band, for a massed band display. In 1990, $1.3 million was spent on capital improvements.