Village Voice News - Events - It's show time

A glimpse of the real Australia is what the Royal Easter Show is offering show-goers this year, writes Rashell Habib

The Royal Easter Show is this year celebrating 10 years at the Sydney Olympic Park site and 100 years of grand parade tradition with a huge agricultural exhibition that includes 1500 animal exhibitions.

"The show offers a unique experience for show-goers to interact with so many elements of the real Australia," Royal Agricultural Society of NSW (RAS) general manager John Aitken said.

"We are showcasing the nation's rich agricultural heritage with some of the best Aussie entertainment, exhibitions and animal competitions," he said.

The show's bizarre sideshow past is back with the Psycho Sideshow of Anarchy, which includes the sword-swallowing Space Cowboy and belly dancing Tiny Rima, who at 24 years old is just one metre tall. Ms Rima began performing at age seven and has travelled the world entertaining audiences.

"I just came back from New Zealand and this is my first time here at the show. I look forward to dancing and entertaining people," she said.

Last year, Lady Cannonball Stephanie Havens shocked audiences by being fired out of a cannon at 100km/h into a net. This year she will help to propel her sister Jennifer Schneider towards the same fame.

The show has gone high-tech this year with the induction of the futuristic Sky View Wheel into the show, one of the largest ferris wheels in Australia, standing 45 metres tall.

It has 36 transparent gondolas - each is individually air-conditioned and seats six people. Even those with a fear of heights may be persuaded to have a go.

For revellers with a penchant for danger and thrill, there are some awe-inspiring mid-air bike acrobatics.

Other show highlights include the farm animals and rodeo riders along with the stomach-churning rides and the unmistakable taste of Easter chocolate and showbags.