Page 11 - The Outdoor Showman APR-JUN 2019

traditional painting, basket and dilly bag weaving demonstrations as well as unique Territory Royal Show categories. The Traditional Spear Throwing and Fire Lighting are popular competitions which demonstrate Aboriginal culture and skills with the throwing of hand- made spears in the main arena and traditional fire lighting with sticks.
The Show has a reputation for its multi-culturalism and this year will celebrate the Chinese ‘Year of the Pig’ giving exhibitors the opportunity to use this theme in various ways across most Show categories.
Popular Royal Darwin Show attractions include a wide range
of interactive entertainment for
the whole family including Dinkum Dinosaurs, the Amazing Racing
Pigs, sensational circus acts and acrobatics, fire eating and roving theatrical stilt walkers, world class sand sculptor workshops, a celebrity baking challenge, chainsaw wood sculpting, the Grand Parade and a spectacular fireworks finale.
Seniors can start the day with a free morning tea from the CWA, and for the little ones, the Show’s dedicated Kidzone offers a program of FREE fun activities in the air-conditioned Foskey Pavilion with a parents’ rest area.
The Show’s bandstand has a long tradition of proudly supporting budding local acts and entertainers, schools and clubs. The Bandstand’s busy daily program of live music and performances offers a diverse line up of popular and upcoming local talent, including a mixture of magic, modern and cultural dance and a Country Music talent quest. It provides a unique experience and opportunity for diverse local performers of all ages to publicly showcase and grow their skills.
Horticulture Hall will feature a
wide range of Territory grown produce and plants on display, from giant pumpkins and tomatoes to stunning orchids, miniature gardens, scarecrows and recycled garden decorations. Demonstrations and gardening tips from the experts will show how to grow tropical herbs and veggies, bromeliads, bonsai and graft fruit trees, identify plant pests and diseases, extract and spin honey, to encourage whole family participation.
Rotary Hall will again be filled with arts, crafts and cookery with entries coming far and wide to compete for
a Royal Show award. You’ll find many varieties of delicious home-made entries such as ginger beer, liqueurs, cakes and biscuits. An amazing and diverse range of creative arts and crafts, from lacework, quilting, lego and woodwork to pottery, ceramics and graffiti art will be on display, including highly contested school and junior art categories, and a Territory Homemade Fishing Lure category.
The Royal Show is one of the most prestigious events on the equestrian calendar and it is one of the biggest sections, with competitors and judges from interstate and intrastate. There’s 100s of individual classes across diverse categories for various disciplines and breeds, including dressage, show jumping, pony club competitions and Polocrosse.
Above: Equestrian Junior 2023; Main arena performance; Show President’s function; Roving Stiltwalkers; Cake masterpiece in Rotary Hall.
Left: Sideshow alley; Sand sculpting dragon; Local produce; Dinkum Dinosaurs; Vintage cars grand parade.
THE OUTDOOR SHOWMAN 9