Ipswich show 1957 – Image courtesy of Picture Ipswich
It’s that time of year again, the weather starts to turn cooler as autumn nears its end and we eagerly await the Ipswich Show. It has been a long held tradition to showcase the region’s best produce.
The very first Ipswich Show was held on Wednesday, April 2, 1873. The show was held at stockyards in Churchill. There were six categories for entries:
- Horses
- Cattle
- Sheep
- Pigs
- Agriculture : Produce of Queensland
- Miscellaneous (prizes were given to Best 2 hams; Best 2 Flitches of Bacon & Best 2 cheeses, Queensland made)
Judging was done in the morning and the public were invited to view the exhibits in the afternoon. To end the day there was a Show dinner, which was for men only. According to The history of the Ipswich Show Society –
˜Those who attended had a wonderful time, eating the vast spread, making long gratifying and humorous speeches, and toasting the absent and the deserving present into the evening.”
In 1877, Sir Arthur Edward Kennedy, Government Administrator, granted the Show Society the land that the show grounds are now situated on.
Enjoy the Show this year and know that many people have enjoyed themselves in the very same way, before you.