With the dissapointment for me this year that the main arena at the RMS will be without the sound of thundering V8s from the Holden Stormrider utes (due to the small arena due to redevelopment), I was wondering if anything other than the noise and bright lights of the carnival attracts other people here to the show???
I go to the show for just about everything. It's a whole atmosphere thing for me, the city meets the country, the crowds, the various smells from the fast food to the animals to the diesel genny's on the rides etc. etc... The kinds of things that you don't find at a theme park!
Feel free to elaborate in this thread once you vote (wether you do or you don't).
CG
Do you go to the show for anything other than the rides?
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Zamperla
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There is certainly something special and unique about the atmosphere of a show - sights, smells, sounds that can never be emulated in a more 'clinical' theme park.
So there is definitely this factor that I enjoy, but I must admit, the rides will always be first and foremost as to the reason I would attend a show. I've found the general programs on offer at most agricultural shows to be more and more commercialised in recent years - more about cramming areas with retail lease (novelty toys, lifestyle products) than providing any unique informative displays. Having said this, the arena events (non-animal award) are always unique, but seem to be in lesser amounts than before.
I have memories of seeing the various farm animals in 'stables' - perhaps I missed this last year, but I thought the heavily sponsored pet food tent animal display to be very limiting. Perhaps for insurance / hygene reasons, all live animals were in small, perspex glassed enclosures with minimal interaction. It was very hot, and very over-crowded with people and pet food merchandise.
So there is definitely this factor that I enjoy, but I must admit, the rides will always be first and foremost as to the reason I would attend a show. I've found the general programs on offer at most agricultural shows to be more and more commercialised in recent years - more about cramming areas with retail lease (novelty toys, lifestyle products) than providing any unique informative displays. Having said this, the arena events (non-animal award) are always unique, but seem to be in lesser amounts than before.
I have memories of seeing the various farm animals in 'stables' - perhaps I missed this last year, but I thought the heavily sponsored pet food tent animal display to be very limiting. Perhaps for insurance / hygene reasons, all live animals were in small, perspex glassed enclosures with minimal interaction. It was very hot, and very over-crowded with people and pet food merchandise.
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LUVTHATURBO
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I also agree, while sideshow alley is the highlight of the show for me I also go because of the electric atmosphere. I know what you mean gibbo, some people would think we are weird but there is something special about lining up for a ride smelling the diesel fumes and hot donuts. 
At Perth I love the atmosphere of the Ranger at the royal show more than any other ride. They set it up in the same spot every year. There is this game next to it where you hit a hammer on this metal thing as hard as you can (I'm sure you all know the game I mean). I love the noise this game makes. It sends a shiver down my spine. I must admitt though, the atmosphere is lacking more and more every year as sideshow alley continues to thin out in Perth... gone are the days of the Zipper, TURBO 
Megamix and now Topspin is the latest casualty being sold to the eastern states. Other rides like the chaos have made 1 appearance in more than a decade, whilst the claw which showed up for the 1st time at Perth in 2003 failed to return last year. I hate to say it but I fear sideshow alley could be very lonely again this year...
At Perth I love the atmosphere of the Ranger at the royal show more than any other ride. They set it up in the same spot every year. There is this game next to it where you hit a hammer on this metal thing as hard as you can (I'm sure you all know the game I mean). I love the noise this game makes. It sends a shiver down my spine. I must admitt though, the atmosphere is lacking more and more every year as sideshow alley continues to thin out in Perth... gone are the days of the Zipper, TURBO Megamix and now Topspin is the latest casualty being sold to the eastern states. Other rides like the chaos have made 1 appearance in more than a decade, whilst the claw which showed up for the 1st time at Perth in 2003 failed to return last year. I hate to say it but I fear sideshow alley could be very lonely again this year...
