The Royal Canberra Show will go on, after being cancelled in 2021 for the first time in almost 80 years.

In 2022, the show is back at EPIC, running from Friday 25 to Sunday 27 February.

Early birds and night owls will be pleased to see the gates open from 8.30am to 10pm Friday and Saturday, closing at 6pm on Sunday.

Wondering what’s on?

You and your mates can explore the animal and showbag pavilions, watch the competitions and attractions in the main arena and around the grounds, venture into sideshow alley, and chow down on proper festival food like we haven’t been able to in years.

The Hearty Choice and Family Food Courts will be filling bellies, while the Harvest Hall will showcase hundreds of competition entries – from bread and cakes to jams and spreads, flowers and garden produce. Brews will be available from local Capital Brewing Co.

This marks the first major ACT event to be declared plastic-free; that means no single-use plastic cutlery, and no plastic straws available.

A range of attractions have been announced, including pig racing, woodchopping competition, farmyard nursery, a crafts expo, an Airtime FMX team showing, and grand finale fireworks.

Here’s your checklist for what to bring to the Canberra Show 2022:

• Picnic blanket. Due to COVID restrictions, this year’s show is designed with outdoor lounging in mind. On that note, remember your shades, hat, and sunscreen to slip, slop, slap.
• Your ticket, pre-purchased online. There will be no cash sales at the gate. Your ticket includes free travel on Action Buses and Light Rail services to and from the Show. Parking on Wells Station Road and Randwick Road will be $10 during the event.

One Canberran you can be sure to catch at the Show is Merran Hunter, who has been participating in the Show’s cookery section since 1981. Ms Hunter declared that she’s excited to renew annual friendships and make new ones once more.

The last time the Canberra Show was cancelled was in 1943, during the Second World War.

Ms Hunter noted that while in the past you could watch the judging panel asses the tasty submissions and provide critique, Master Chef style, this year “open judging” is off the table due to COVID restrictions.

Former Director General of ACT Government Economic Development, David Dawes, is another volunteer you’ll see at this year’s Show.

Few outside of the dog show community know that Mr Dawes is an expert on none other than the Queen’s favourite breed.

“I’ve been showing and breeding Corgis since I was 10, dare I say 58 years,” Mr Dawes said.

This year, Australia’s top dog will be judged right here at the Royal Canberra Show. The eight top dogs, one from each state and territory, will compete in the finale on the Saturday night.

At the show, the dog section is open to all ages, with child handlers’ classes catering for ages seven to 16.

Mr Dawes’ 10-year-old granddaughter, Alice Warren, is his protégé, currently training her Corgi puppy, Queenie. 

Alice won her section at the 2019 Canberra Show, surpassing her grandfather on her first try.

A young Mr Dawes attempted to show his first Corgi puppy back in 1964 in their hometown of Cooma and had to back down due to adorable, yet unfortunate, droopy dog ears. 

“The Show brings the Canberra community together; those who live in the city and those who live in the rural areas surrounding it,” he said.

“It doesn’t just benefit Canberrans, living in the capital of the region. There’s a million people living within a two-hour radius, that will benefit from business filtering out into the wider community, businesses that have been struggling through the last couple of years.

“I’m excited that we might have a full Canberra Show in 2022 and carry on that tradition of 95 years.”

Interested in volunteering to make the merry go round? Sign up for your preferred shift at canberrashow.org.au/volunteer-us; volunteers will receive two adult entry passes for completing a four-hour shift at the Show.

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