Royal Hobart Showground facts for kids
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| Location | Glenorchy, Hobart. |
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| Coordinates | 42°49′48″S 147°17′09″E / 42.83000°S 147.28583°E |
| Owner | Royal Agricultural Society of Tasmania |
| Surface | Mixed |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 1927 |
| Renovated | 1980 |
The Royal Hobart Showground is a famous place in Hobart, Tasmania. It's where the big Royal Hobart Show happens every year. Many other fun events, like a Sunday market, also take place here. You can find it about 10 kilometers north of Hobart, in a suburb called Glenorchy. It sits between the Brooker Highway and Main Road.
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What is the Royal Hobart Show?
The Royal Hobart Show is a huge yearly event held at the Showground in October. It celebrates the farming and country life of Tasmanians. You can see exciting events like judging farm animals and wood chopping contests. People also love the show bags and fun rides.
The show lasts for four days, from Wednesday to Saturday. It always finishes on the fourth Saturday of October. It's a bit like a smaller version of the Sydney Royal Easter Show.
History of the Showground
The very first Hobart Show happened a long time ago, in January 1822. It was held in the Old Market Place, near where the State Parliament House is today. Over the years, the show moved around to different places. These included Salamanca Place, Bridgewater, New Town, and even the Hobart Town Hall.
Finding a Permanent Home
In 1903, the Royal Agricultural Society of Tasmania (RAST) bought 40 acres of land. This land was known as "Elwick Knoll." They paid £2525 for it, which was a lot of money back then! The very next year, in 1904, the show was held at its current home, the Elwick Showground.
In 1922, something special happened. King George V gave permission for the Society to use the word 'Royal'. That's how it became known as The Royal Agricultural Society of Tasmania.
Showground Upgrades
The Showground got a big makeover in 1980. About $4 million was spent to improve it. This included new areas for pacing (horse racing) and greyhound racing. The main arena was also updated for many different events. A large building with a grandstand, bars, restaurants, and meeting rooms was also added.
In 1981, a major horse racing event called the Inter Dominion was held here. From 2004 to 2008, the greyhound and pacing races moved to Elwick Racecourse, which is nearby.
Future Plans
In 2012, the RAST announced plans to update the Showground again. They wanted to use some parts for businesses. They also planned to replace some older buildings, like those for poultry, dogs, and cats. New, modern buildings would be built for animals during the show.
Other Events at the Showground
Besides the Royal Hobart Show, many other events happen here.
- The Royal Hobart International Wine Show is held at the Showground. It's the second largest wine show in Australia.
- The Royal Hobart Fine Food Awards and the Tasmanian Vineyard of the Year Competitions also take place here.
- The Showground has hosted music events too. These include the Southern Roots Festival in 2007 and an Eskimo Joe concert in 2006.
- Since 2007, the main office for Football Federation Tasmania has been located at the Showground.
- Many animal clubs use the Showground for their events. They hold shows for cats, dogs, poultry, rabbits, and guinea pigs.
Images for kids
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The Royal Hobart Showground from above.
