My first Ekka
I'm going to the Ekka this weekend. I've never been before so I'm filled with a mix of excitement and trepidation. I expect fairy floss, and small children, and random crafts.
Now, I'm going twice (don't worry, I'm not some sort of show junkie, I'm being paid to be there), once in the daytime and once in the nighttime. So I'm after tips, memories, thought and stories of the Ekka in years past. What should I definitely do? What should I skip? What traps for new players are there?
Tell me your Ekka secrets, people.
Please?
Now, I'm going twice (don't worry, I'm not some sort of show junkie, I'm being paid to be there), once in the daytime and once in the nighttime. So I'm after tips, memories, thought and stories of the Ekka in years past. What should I definitely do? What should I skip? What traps for new players are there?
Tell me your Ekka secrets, people.
Please?
7 Comments:
I love the Ekka. I countdown to it every year from about April, as soon as the weather starts cooling off a little. Don't expect crafts. There won't be any. I highly recommend the Cotton Fashion Show - it showcases local designers. Not the out of your reach designers (although some are there) but mostly little boutique stores in Paddington and the Valley, stuff that's cute, different and mostly affordable. Plus you feel really chic when you attend.
You HAVE to eat a dagwood dog and some fairy floss. Be selective about the dagwood dogs, though. For when you're feeling really hungry, make the effort to go to the end of the Ekka that has all the international food - the Hungarian stand is great. Greek is always good.
The ferris wheel is fun to go on but impossible to get on. Go on the cable cars for an almost-as-good view with 1/2 the wait time. If you do get on the ferris wheel, be prepared to share with a smoochy, lovey-dovey couple :P
Get showbags. They're cheap, they're a waste of money but they're traditional. The lollies/chocolate ones are good for the sugar fix and some of the women's showbags (e.g. New Women, etc) actually have cool goodies in them.
I almost forgot the most important piece of advice: be prepared to get sick. This time of year (you might have noticed) always brings that windy weather and people get sick, then they spread it at the Ekka. It's so notorious that it's just called Ekka flu.
Just make sure you bring enough cash from the outside.
Last year I found a limited amount of ATM's on the inside which meant a long line up to get extra cash.
I have been to the Ekka once since moving to Brissy from Sydney, and it's a minor event compared to the gigantic circus that is the Royal Easter Show. However, the highlight at Ekka is free food. Go to the Woolworths pavillion, and look out for the guy with the profiteroles. You may wish to take a fake moustache, and hence increase your chances of being able to swoop in for a second free sample without dirty eyes from the purveyor. Other noteworthy freebies are from the yoghurt stand, and the chilli place (nb: try the hottest chilli and then head straight for the yoghurt stand because you will be in considerable pain). When I went - 2 years ago - Michels pattisserie did a cake-decorating demonstration and gave out free cake, so look out for that. Naturally, you will have to buy a dagwood dog at some point in the day, but if you play your cards right, you could stay there all day and not pay for any other food.
Strawberry Ice Cream - sounds a little boring but actually quite fabulous!
Hurrah! Free food.
I've never. Ever. Had a dagwood dog. Never. Not for lack of going to shows and whatnot. Just never had one. Maybe this is the year to change that.
...then again, maybe not.
Thanks - good tips! Am getting a bit excited now.
Yes, definitely have the Dagwood dog - I went to the Ekka for the first time last year (had to man one of the ever-so-exciting Qld government stands in the government pavillion). I knew it was wrong, it looked wrong, and was full of all the wrong things but it tasted great!
Got the Ekka flu too, of course.
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