Royal Canberra Show is on again for 2014 from February 21 to February 23.
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There's always lots to see and do for all ages, but we've scoured the program to find some of the highlights for you for this what's on guide.
There are free buses if you have a pre-purchased ticket, and car parking on Wells Station Road via Sandford Street or Northbourne Avenue; on Randwick Road, via Flemington Road. Parking is $10.
The show is open from 8.30am to 10pm on Friday and Saturday, and until 6pm on Sunday.
Here are some of the highlights:
Farmyard Nursery
The Farmyard Nursery provides a fun experience, especially for young children. Kids can get up close and personal with the animals in kindy corner where they can meet, pat and hold the baby animals.
Friday: 9am-8pm
Saturday: 9am-8pm
Sunday: 9am-5pm
Fireworks
The show will let loose with an electrifying fireworks display to music over the main arena as a finale for the evening on Friday and Saturday. It could be busy so make sure you get your seat early.
Friday: 9.20pm
Saturday: 9.20pm
Woodchop
Always a drawer of big crowds the Woodchop is back for another big show. With several events, most of which use a handicapping system to start everyone on an equal footing, you are bound to see some close finishes. Included in the program is a tree telling challenge in which six of Australia’s top tree tellers will compete as well as the David Foster Underhand Handicap Challenge featuring eight of Australia’s top axemen.
Saturday and Sunday: From 9.30am
FlyBall
Watch the dogs fly in the hotly contested Flyball competition. There will be teams of 25 competing over the weekend for the top prize.
Friday: 9am-4pm Beginner and Veteran Dogs Display
Saturday: 8.30am-5.30pm Teams Racing
Sunday: 8.30am to 4.30pm Teams Racing
The Revenge of the Monster Truck Spectacular (Main Arena)
Revenge is four tonnes of newly built monster truck making its debut at this year’s show. Revenge will be jumping old trucks and machinery tyres. Watch as Revenge hollers, hurtles and hoons its way around the arena. It’s loud, it’s spectacular and it is sure to be a huge crowd pleaser.
Friday: 8.45pm
Saturday 6.15pm and 8.40pm
Sunday: 12pm and 5.20pm.
Trackskill Holden vs Ford Ute Challenge (Main Arena)
This is a chance for Canberrans to see firsthand which is better, Holdens or Fords. V8 utes will compete in racing and obstacle courses three times a day for 15 minutes. There will be an individual pursuit-style challenge between Ford and Holden where both cars will start on the opposite side of the track to one another. They will then do a full lap and a 180 degree sweep around a witch’s hat before racing back to their respective starting sports.
Friday: 7.45pm and 8.30pm
Saturday: 12.40pm, 5.55pm and 8.20pm
Sunday: 12.40pm and 5pm
ShowTime FMX Freestyle Motocross (Main Arena)
The ShowTime FMX team will perform a choreographed show that will see two riders, Matty McFerran and Bard Burch, perform tricks more than 45 feet in the air while jumping 75 feet from ramp to ramp. They will perform such tricks as the Rock Solid, Jack Hammer, Holy Grab and the ever popular Back Flip.
Friday: 9pm
Saturday: 12pm, 5.35pm and 9pm
Sunday: 12.20pm and 5.40pm
Showjumping (Main Arena)
With three different but equally exciting Showjumping events you will get the chance to see horses and riders at their best. In the Speed Championships it is not only about how high but also how fast the horses and riders can negotiate the jumps. Then there is the Ride and Drive Challenge where you will see horse vs ute in a race to see who can complete the course in the fastest time. Lastly, there is the Bareback Challenge in which riders take on the challenge of jumping without their saddles.
Friday: 6.30pm Speed Championships
Saturday: 6.40pm Ride and Drive and 7.15pm Bareback Challenge.
Fashion Parades
The ‘Hats and Handbags’ fashion parades offer you the chance to find your inner super-model. They will be parading a range of fabrics as well as hats and items from show stalls. Don’t miss the chance to get hands on with all those hats and handbags.
Friday: 11am, 2pm, 4pm and 6pm
Saturday: 11am, 2pm, 4pm and 6pm
Sunday: 11am, 2pm and 4pm
Animal Wrangles
This show includes horsemanship demonstrations on how to get your horse to work with you and how to gain its trust. It also features trick horses and mules, performing dogs, ducks, pigs, bullocks and lots of comedy and laughs provided by Bazza the clown.
Friday: 10.30am, 12.30pm, 3.30pm and 5.30pm
Saturday; 10am, 11am, 2pm and 5pm
Sunday: 10am, 12pm, 2pm and 4pm
Australian Wool Innovation Shearing Display
This is your chance to watch and learn about sheep shearing. Jim Murray and Ian Elkins deliver an interesting and educational display of sheep handling and shearing. Don’t miss the chance to ask them plenty of questions.
Friday: 12pm, 2pm and 4pm
Saturday: 11am, 1pm, 3pm and 5pm
Sunday: 11am, 1pm, 3pm and 5pm
Rock Climbing
This is a time in which the early bird will catch the worm as you will get the chance to try rock climbing for free, as long as you’re early. While the rock climbing will be open until late a fee will apply for those wanting to have a turn after 1.00pm.
Friday, Saturday and Sunday: 9.00am- 1.00pm FREE
Friday, Saturday and Sunday: 1.00pm to late (fees apply)
Dock Dogs
Dock Dogs is a fun performance sport for dogs with events held regionally, nationally and internationally. There will be a National Dock Dogs Competition during the weekend with a judge all the way from the USA.
Friday: 10am, 12pm, 2pm and 4pm
Saturday: 10am, 12pm, 2pm and 4pm
Sunday: 10am, 12pm, 2pm
Sideshow Alley
Sideshow Alley is all about action-packed fun with rides to turn you upside down and inside out and games to test your skills. With over 20 different rides there is one for everyone. Prices: Kids rides up to $6. Most other rides between $7 and $10. Extreme rides are priced $10 to $15
Smash Up Demolition Derby
The show is going to end with a bang. The Demolition Derby will be the final event in the Main Arena with amateur drivers in specially modified cars pitted against each other in a smashing game of cat and mouse. Last car rolling takes home the prize.
Sunday: 6pm
