Media Releases for the Cairns Show Association

Media Relations and Advertising: Margaret Oxley
M: 0417 073 116
E: sales@cairns-show.com

CAIRNS SHOW CROWD BREAKS RECORD

Tuesday 24th July 2007

Celebrations are underway at the Cairns Showgrounds with the news that a record crowd came through the turnstiles last Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. A total of 70,345 men, women and children attended the Show, a jump of 1033 over the previous record set at the 100th Cairns Show in 2004.

Show manager Mark Bryant is elated. “The audited figures confirm the Cairns Show status as largest regional show in Australia. “The Cairns Show is, by far, the biggest annual event in North Queensland and continues to grow in popularity, in contrast to many other regional shows which are in decline,” he added.

Volunteers, who work in the windowless security area, had a well-earned break on Monday, but returned today to complete the count. All the pre-sold tickets are counted manually, which is a time-consuming exercise and is normally left until last. Cheers erupted when the final record tally was revealed.

Cairns Show Association president Ian Allen took a different perspective on the record. “The weather was kind to us for a change, and that’s been a major bonus. “It’s very nice to have record crowd, but we must stay focused that we’re here to provide; - a great day out for the people of the region. “What we’re doing is obviously working, and we’ll continue to keep the balanced mix of exhibits, entertainment, displays, demonstrations that the people want.

“We’re sure that the blend of rural, agricultural, horticultural and metropolitan attractions is what a show should be all about and, it appears by the attendance, that the public agrees,” he said.

Mr. Allen paid tribute to the volunteer committee and staff who work throughout the year to ensure the success of the Show. He also praised the Show sponsors, media organisations and the general public for their valued support.

ENDS.________________________________________________________

SHOW GUIDE A “MUST” FOR SHOW

The 2007 Cairns Show Guide will be inserted tomorrow in The Cairns Post and The Show Association is urging intending Show-goers to get a copy. The Guide is a wealth of information and schedules of events at the Show and includes a detailed map of the grounds.

Show Association manager Mark Bryant says it’s a must for every person who will come to the Show. “This year’s Show Guide has been completely changed to be more of an information booklet. “We based its layout on the Sydney show program and we believe the booklet is an excellent and comprehensive guide to what’s happening when at this year’s Show,” he said.

The single sheet daily program, distributed free in previous years at the ticket booths, has been discontinued. The various events at the show have been split into three sections in the Guide to make it easier to read. Judging times, activities and the Main Arena events have been separated and listed in chronological order. The Show Guide also contains a services directory, essential information section and short previews of all major attractions in the various areas of the 17 hectare showgrounds.

Discount Show Ticket Rush Starts Today!

The rush will be on from today when Cairns Show admission tickets and Sideshow Bonus Dollars go on sale at Raintrees Shopping Centre. With the Cairns Show only two weeks away, the advance purchase tickets can save families many dollars over the normal gate admission prices. A family ticket for two adults and two primary school age children will get them a full day at the Show for $35.

Advance purchase admission prices are excellent value, according to Show Manager Mark Bryant. “We have a new ticket category this year called a concession ticket. The “concession” category covers secondary students, full-time tertiary and post-graduate students, pensioners and Seniors Card holders. Anyone wanting a concession ticket must show an appropriate official card to be eligible,” he added.

“In any case, buying Show tickets in advance can save dollars and it’s fabulous value,” he said.

A special Cairns Show booth has been set up at Raintrees Shopping Centre to process the ticket sales.

New advance-purchase sideshow tickets have been introduced for Cairns Show 2007 that will discount all sideshows by almost 17%. Called sideshow Bonus Dollars, and only on sale at Raintrees Shopping Centre before the Show, the new tickets give $30 of value for $25. The tickets can be used to purchase food, games or rides in Sideshow Fun Park.

Sideshow Bonus Dollars are more realistic than the previous system of 8 tickets for $30, according to Cairns Show manager Mark Bryant.

“Under that scheme, some of the expensive rides demanded two, or in a few cases, three tickets. “This left the ‘8 rides’ aspect open to question,” he said. “Armed with Sideshow Bonus Dollars, show-goers will pay the displayed price for food, games or rides with their advance-purchase Bonus Dollars, but get a guaranteed discount”.

Mr. Bryant warned that limited numbers of Bonus Dollars go on sale and in previous years they have sold out on the Monday before the Show.

Advance Purchase Tickets at Raintrees Shopping Centre
Family Pass $35.00
Concession $10.00
Child            $ 6.00

Gate Admission Prices
1 day family pass $40.00
Adults                   $17.00
Concession          $12.00
Child                     $ 8.00
Under 5 years       Free

ENDS.___________________________________________________________

Mark Bryant: 4042 6699

Where Have All The Vegies Gone?

Fruit and vegetables for the Cairns Show competitions are in very short supply. Show officials are sending an S.O.S. (save our stalls) to fruit, vegetable and flower growers in the region to nominate their best produce. Home gardeners are more than welcome to nominate their fruit and veggies for the Show judging. Cairns Show Manager Mark Bryant says some home garden fruits, veggies and flowers are well worthy of awards.

“There are plenty of prize-worthy specimens in people’s gardens and it’s likely they think their not good enough, but unless they put them in, they’ll never know. We’ll take nominations right up to the Tuesday before the Show,” he said, “and with little competition it’s likely they’ll get a prize.”

Over the past ten years, the horticulture competition has been dominated by Ivy Rigg, whose fruit and vegetables have consistently won first prizes. Mr. Hams believes this situation may have discouraged others from entering. But this year, Ms. Rigg is away, which leaves the competition wide open.

All types of vegetables are eligible, from potatoes to onions, radish, cabbage, lettuce, broccoli, mint and parsley while in the fruit section, there are prizes for citrus, bananas, pawpaws, pineapples and other tropical fruits. Children are also encouraged to enter their fruit and vegetables.

“This is the best opportunity for ten years for local growers to enter their best fruit, vegetables and flowers in the Cairns Show and take out a prize,” said Mr. Bryant.

ENDS._________________________________________________________________

Further Information: Mark Bryant 4042 6699

RIESLING WINS TOP SHOW AWARD

A 2007 riesling from Currency Creek in South Australia is the surprise winner of the Cairns Post Trophy as the best wine of the Cairns Show Wine Awards. In a ‘taste-off’ between the best red and the best white, most of the judges voted for the riesling. The Champion Red of the Show went to Peregrine Ridge “American Oak Blend” Heathcote Shiraz from Moonee Ponds in Victoria. The Andrew Corrigan Trophy for the Best wine for enjoyment in the Tropics was awarded to Tempus Two Wines – Copper Moscato.

Chairman of Judges, Steve Goodwin, praised the overall quality of the wines, explaining that the wine growing areas of Australia had experienced a harrowing couple of years of weather extremes. “It’s been pretty tough with the drought, along with frosts and hail which have all affected the yield.“Whites are down in number, but the quality is very good,” he added. “2006 is generally a very good year for whites while reds have had good vintages in 2004 – 2005, while many of the fortified wines nominated were excellent”.

The medal count for the Cairns Show was average with 3% of the nominated receiving gold medals which is in line with most other wine shows. Somewhat surprisingly, no gold medals were awarded in the pinot noir category, the judges deeming that none was up to the required standard. “This is a little disappointing, but normally is the small, boutique wineries that specialise in pinot noir, and many don’t enter wine shows.

“Both wines that won the best Queensland Red and Best Queensland White won gold medals – and both were from the same winery, Witches Falls Winery in the Granite Belt.”

Over 230 wine aficionados sipped their way through the nominated wines at the Sunday afternoon tastings.

Ends._____________________________________________________________

Further Information: Mark Bryant 4042 6699

Wines Arriving Early For Judging!

Judging for the Cairns Show Wine Awards is still four weeks away but dozens of cartons containing entries have already arrived at the Showgrounds. The early arrivals have surprised Show wine officials who hope it’s an indication of a record number of entries.

“This is very unusual,” said Show manager Mark Bryant, “we normally don’t see cartons arriving this early, and there’s typically a huge rush of cartons delivered in the week before the judging.”

“Our volunteers are already on the job every day to categorise and label the entries”.

“This is a huge task, when you consider there are four bottles supplied for each entry, and they’ve all got to be processed – that’s over four thousand bottles.”

Last year, three teams of judges were kept busy from Thursday morning until midday Sunday deciding the medal winners from the 1042 entries in the ten different categories.

“Because of the remoteness of Cairns from wine producing areas, it’s difficult for local aficionados to sample a large range of quality wines,” said Mr. Bryant.

“But on Sunday afternoon 24th of June, the public tastings are a perfect way for local wine lovers to taste-test some of the best wines available in Australia.

“Free booklets containing the judging results guide people to the best of the best and they can then judge the wines for themselves,’ added Mr. Bryant.

Public tastings commence at 2:00pm on Sunday 24th June in the De Jarlais Function Centre at the Cairns Showgrounds. Tickets can be purchased from the Cairns Show Office now.

ENDS._______________________________________________________

Further Information/Phone interview: Mark Bryant 4051 6699

A Plethora of Poems

It’s raining bush poetry at ABC Radio Far North. A bush poetry competition in conjunction with the Cairns Show has been inundated with high standard poetry from listeners all over the Far North. The best of the best will be broadcast live by the ABC from the Cairns Show on Friday morning 20th of July.

The huge number of poets calling ABC Far North has surprised Show officials and the ABC.

“We began asking for poets to call us only three weeks ago, and already we’ve had nearly 200 compositions go to air,’ said ABC Far North manager Bruce Woolley.

“If it continues at its present rate we’ll have over 750 pieces to judge before the Cairns Show presentation,” he added.

ABC listeners are invited to call, write, fax or email their bush poetry to the station. The poems are read on the air during local programs, either by the announcer, or the poets can present their item if they wish. Poems are also posted on the ABC Far North website.

Cairns Show manager Mark Bryant is elated with the response.

“With so few entries over the past few years we considered dropping our bush poetry competition altogether.

“But the ABC’s involvement has more than reversed that trend and the huge response is incredible – we’re thrilled to see such a revival,” he said.

Mr. Woolley agreed, adding that the bush poetry promotion was ideal for the ABC.

“This is a perfect niche for us and the amazing response has proved that.

“We’re hoping to see a big crowd at the Show's Cairns City Council Community Stage on Friday morning 20th of July for the live broadcast of the winning entries,” he added.

ENDS._________________________________________________________________

Further Information: Mark Bryant 4051 6699, Bruce Woolley 4044 2011

HUNT FOR MISS SHOWGIRL 2008

Who will be Miss Showgirl 2008?

The Cairns Show Association is inviting young women to be a part of this exciting contest and become the face of the 2008 Cairns Show. Entry is free and contestants are promised heaps of fun.

A most enthusiastic supporter of the contest is the 2006 Cairns Showgirl, Joni Pirovich. “It was a totally fantastic experience,’ she said, “it’s glamorous, a challenge at times, but I learnt so much and had so much fun.” “It’s really a buzz – getting to know so many really nice people, and I’d recommend it to any girl. "With all the fun and excitement, it really is an educational experience too, and if I could, I’d love to do it again,’ she added.

The rules are simple – contestants need to be between 18 to 25, single, with no children and not married. Some travel is required, and potential entrants are invited to check all the details on the Cairns Show Association website. Sponsored by the Smithfield Centre, entry is free, and there are some great prizes to be won.

Organiser of the Smithfield Centre Miss Showgirl is Anita Plos. “We had some fabulous girls last year and we’re looking for more entrants for 2008." “It’s good fun for a good cause,’ she added, “and interested girls can call me on 0417 643 339 or the Cairns Show office on 4042 6699.”

ENDS.______________________________________________________

Further Information: Anita Plos 0417 643 339