QUEENSLANDERS are being urged to show their support for farming families battling drought and the devastating February floods by attending this year's Ekka at the Brisbane Showgrounds.
The show has frozen ticket prices for the first time in 11 years to encourage people to attend the event, which brings the country to the city.
"Our farmers are the backbone of our nation and we want to draw attention to the many challenges they are facing as well as provide opportunities for them to engage with others in the broader Queensland community and enjoy some much-needed respite," said Royal National Agricultural and Industrial Association of Queensland chief executive Brendan Christou.
"The Ekka showcases the extraordinary resilience of our farmers and rural communities and also recognises and rewards our exhibitors who year in, year out, produce the best of the best despite the crippling impacts of drought and flood."
More than 400,000 people are expected to flock to this year's Ekka, which will showcase about 21,000 competition entries and 10,000 animals.
It will also offer a new home for the popular RACQ Animal Nursery and a brand new park and home for the canine competition, plus a fantastic line-up of entertainment and some of the country's best food and wine.
There will be more than 300 free activities to choose from each day including fashion parades, concerts, competitions, food and wine sampling, children's stage shows with Dora the Explorer and Jimmy Giggle; and two hours of entertainment each evening in the main arena with monster trucks, stunt drivers, equestrian riders and fireworks.
A citizenship ceremony for 40 people will be another highlight.
Super Seniors Day audiences on August 15 will be wowed by evergreen entertainers Normie Rowe and Jackie Love as they take to the stage.
Seniors get a minimum 15 per cent discount on their $25 pass at the gate and a further 10 per cent off online.
- Tickets and information: www.ekka.com.au
