Day 2: The all new Ekka IgNites 360 night show begins
The 2013 Royal Queensland Show (Ekka) kicked off with great opening day atmosphere and thousands streaming in from 8:30am yesterday.
Day two of the Ekka presents the Official Opening Ceremony by Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce AC, and the beginning of Ekka IgNites 360 presented by B105 – our brand new blockbuster night time entertainment program headlined by Australian pop princess Ricki-Lee Coulter.
DOORSTOP: 11am with RNA Chief Executive Brendan Christou at Heritage Hill overlooking the Energex Community Arena.
Judging highlights
· 8:30am: Young Judges – Prime Beef, Expo Place (map reference: U10)
· 8:30am: Stud Beef Cattle, Energex Community Arena (map reference: O8)
· 9am: Prime Beef Sale, Expo Place (map reference: U10)
· 9am: Woodchop and Sawing, Isuzu D-MAX Woodchop Arena (map reference: G2)
· 10:15am: Young Auctioneers Queensland State Final, Expo Place (map reference: U10)
· 12pm: Parade of Champions, Energex Community Arena (map reference: O8)
· 12pm: Dances with Dogs, Dog Pavilion (map reference: I12)
· 4:30pm: Young Farmers Challenge, Energex Community Arena (map reference: O8)
Governor-General officially opens the Ekka (map reference: 08)
Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce AC will be welcomed by the Queensland Mounted Police, Australia’s Federation Guard and the Australian Army Band tomorrow as she officially opens the 2013 Ekka. Other dignitaries include Major General Rick Burr DSC AM MVO, the Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney, the Lord Mayor of Brisbane Graham Quirk and the Archbishop of Brisbane. The official opening ceremony will be followed with the new Ekka IgNites 360 night show presented by B105.
Ekka IgNites 360 presented by B105 (map reference: O8)
Kicking off at 7:10pm the massive Ekka finale will see the sky erupt in a 360 degree blaze of colour, surround sound music, fireworks, fire dancers, international artists H20 and speed bike action. This world-class entertainment event uses the latest technology and with never before seen acts, Ekka IgNites 360 presented by B105 will blow your mind.
Official Opening of Brisbane’s new Convention Centre (map reference: O8)
Her Excellency Ms Penelope Wensley AC, Governor of Queensland, will officially open the new Royal International Convention Centre – stage one of the regeneration of Queensland’s much-loved Brisbane Showgrounds. This morning the Governor will unveil a plaque in a commemoration ceremony for the opening of the redeveloped Industrial Pavilion, the Royal ICC, and the new 7,000m2 Plaza which connects the Convention Centre with the Energex Community Arena.
TIME: 9.30am
WHERE: The Plaza, outside the Royal International Convention Centre
Brisbane Broncos show their sweet side (map reference: J10)
From 11:15am for one hour Brisbane Broncos Peter Wallace and Jack Reid will make up and serve the iconic Ekka Strawberry Sundaes in the stall in the new Plaza connecting the new Royal International Convention Centre and the Energex Community Arena. This year the Ekka Strawberry Sundae celebrates its 25 year partnership with the Prince Charles Hospital Foundation.
Miss Showgirl Presentation (map reference: P17)
The 2013 Miss Showgirl will be crowned today at 4pm in the CommBank Auditorium. This highly sought after title provides young Queensland women with the opportunity to be involved with a wonderful Queensland tradition.
Matt Kirkegaard: all things beer, cider and food related (map reference: N15)
New to the Ekka foodie experience, The Harvest and Hops Sage in the Woolworths Fresh Food Pavilion focuses on all things beer cider and food related. Led by Matt Kirkegaard, visitors will learn what food matches best with their favourite beer and cider as well as learning all about craft beers and ciders.
TODAY’S NIGHT TIME ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAM
5:30pm – 6pm: The Rooftop Express
6pm – 7pm: Official Opening
7pm – 7:10pm: Welcome and Australian National Anthem
7:10pm – 8:15pm: Ekka IgNites 360 presented by B105
Ekka Essentials
Royal Queensland Show (Ekka)
August 8 – 17, 2013
Brisbane Showgrounds, 600 Gregory Terrace, Bowen Hills, Queensland
Gates open at 8:30am
Tickets are available online at www.ekka.com.au