Excitement fills the air this time of year as locals get ready for the return of the Royal Canberra Show, taking over Exhibition Park across three days, 23-25 February.

Some old favourites are marking their return after a year or two off, while some wonderful new additions will showcase Australia’s deep connection to agriculture.

One of these new additions is Adelina La Vita, CEO of the Royal National Capital Agricultural Society. A Canberran through and through, she is excited to share what they have in store for visitors in 2024.

For the first time, guests will be able to experience The Outback Stockman’s Show, which Ms La Vita describes as “orchestrated chaos”; she is sure viewers won’t be able to look away.

“It’s a really fun show with horsemanship, working dogs, a lot of crowd participation and there’s a little bit of an educational spin on it,” she says.

Woodchop returns

Offering something for every generation, Ms La Vita says our love for the Show changes as we grow: from youngsters excited to cuddle creatures in the Farmyard Nursery to teens drawn to the bright lights and fast rides of Sideshow Alley, before becoming adults who appreciate the agricultural aspects on display.

There are some things you love no matter your age, such as watching feats of human endurance like the woodchop competitions. The woodchop returns this year supported by a generous donation from The Tradies in Dickson.

“That also helps us be able to provide prize money, the logs, and create a big experience on site,” says Ms La Vita.

Woodchop is an activity that is critical to the lifestyle and agricultural roots of our regional communities, explains Ms La Vita, that’s one of the reasons its return is so welcome.

“The Show is all about our agricultural pursuits’ – where we’ve come from and looking at how we continue to foster education and engagement. While there is an entertainment aspect of the Show, that is how people used to chop down trees so they could provide firewood or build carts.”

Axewoman Steph Radovanovic says now is a great time for women in the sport as history changes and more and more shows embrace female participants.

“We’re getting more notice, promotion, shows putting on women’s events that never used to happen because we’ve got the women to provide it. We have 11 women choppers for Hall [ACT] and district which I believe is the largest number of women in a club in Australia.”

Ms Radovanovic competed in her second-ever competition at the Royal Canberra Show in 2022. She says it was intimidating and exhilarating, and the crowd was incredibly supportive.

“They would be sitting there waiting for you. Even though I came dead last, the crowd roared even louder for me at the end because I got through it, than the guys at the beginning,” she smiles.

“Our mindset is: no matter how hard it is, no matter how tired we are, we don’t let the log win; it is just about finishing it. You get your amazing quick cut through the log in record time, that’s got the show appeal to it, but then you see people who are slogging away and they’re not giving up … I think there is a lot to be said for a sport that celebrates both ends of the spectrum,” adds Meg Keogh, axewoman.

Split into three primary disciplines, competitors battle it out in underhand, where they chop the wood they are standing on, chopping into a standing block, and sawing. Ms Radovanovic will be competing in the underhand and sawing (and strongman). Ms Keogh, who is entering the Royal Canberra Show for the first time, competes in underhand, sawing and novice – and says you can’t predict what’s going to happen.

“You never know when you show up to an event where the logs are wrapped, you can be the best woodchopper ever and you can unwrap a log that’s got knots in it and then the person next to you could have very little experience and get the one with termites through it,” Ms Keogh smiles.

Ms Radovanovic is thrilled to see that the woodchop has returned to a role of honour at agricultural shows, where people recognise you and want to discuss the sport. Meanwhile, Ms Keogh says they are finding more and more women approach them.

“Women come and say, ‘How did you get started in this?’ or they look and they see you’re not some spritely 21-year-old and think ‘Maybe I could do this’. I don’t think any of us expected that kind of reaction, and it’s been really lovely – women empowering other women,” Ms Keogh smiles.

Both axewomen agree that the wood chop is a spectacle like no other, requiring a fierce combination of grit, skill of technique, strength and stamina.

“You’ll see such a smorgasbord of ages competing, of men and women of all sizes, of all different backgrounds and levels of capabilities, all bonding over this crazy axe-wielding sport,” smiles Ms Radovanovic.

Animals at the Show

More than 200 sheep also return to the Show this year, ready to be judged by a panel of experts. Animals and their handlers travel from across the nation to participate in the Royal Canberra Show. Vistors will be able the see the best of sheep, horses, alpacas and cattle, as well as smaller creatures like cats, dogs and guinea pigs. Don’t miss your chance to see various animals in action during the Flyball Show, Grand Parade, pig racing and more.

At the heart of all the animal competitions and livestock on show is the fostering of education. Even before the Show opens, Ms La Vita says they invite agricultural students to be mentored by the cattle judges.

“Taking younger students and ensuring over generations they are mentored and guided so they can take the lead as they grow and we ensure that agriculture is alive, well, thriving and sustainable for generations to come,” she says.

These educational opportunities include milking demonstrations, sheep shearing, learning how to make cheese, the chance to throw a slab of clay on a pottery wheel, crafts and the Science Extravaganza Show. Children under the age of six are invited to experience the wonder of the Show free of charge.

Food and drink

Classic show food like dagwood dogs and hot chips can be found around the grounds. In addition to the crowd favourite, chip-on-a-stick, keep an eye out for mushroom-on-a-stick.

If you prefer to sit in the shade and enjoy a meal, head to the designated food areas. In the World Flavours section, you travel the globe via flavoursome dishes. Sit back and watch a show at the Capital Hill food and drink area where you’ll find the Capital Brewery bar.

“You can sit on the hill with your beer and a barbecue and look out onto the main arena and watch the horse competition and other entertainment,” says Ms La Vita.

Transport and parking

Hoping to encourage the use of public transport to help ease congestion and battles for parking, Transport Canberra is offering anyone with Royal Canberra Show tickets free transport on buses and light rail. The revenue from the paid parking goes to support the local Scouts and Rotary clubs.

Those with mobility issues don’t have to miss any of the action as a regular shuttle runs from the Well Station Road entry to the Mallee Pavilion.

Experience the Royal Canberra Show at Exhibition Park, 23-25 February. Find out more in the pull-out guide in this week’s edition of Canberra Weekly.