By Stuart Kavanagh and Makalia Degoumois
Yes, it’s back – the famous Broken Hill Silver City Show returns after a two-year absence and promises to be bigger and better than ever.
Fancy a ride on the Kamikaze, or Twister, the Dodgems, a bit of Midnight Madness, Cha-Cha, or the real biggie – Tilt The Big Claw – then this is the show for you.
And of course there will be kiddies’ rides and trampolines
First opening its doors way back in 1889, the 133 year-old show never fails to disappoint, and this Thursday the gates will be flung open, welcoming everyone in town to a unique and very much traditional Broken Hill experience.
COVID saw the Show missing from the calendar for two years, and while there have been smaller fairs during the show’s absence, this is the return of the big time.
There is plenty to look forward to this coming weekend, with horses in action, arts and crafts for the school kids, an animal nursery, and of course Showbags.
And as usual, there will be a huge fireworks display. It is always a spectacular sight, and this year will be no exception.
Broken Hill high school students, Alani Woods, Cecelia Noel and Jonathon Haynes are looking forward to the big event, and they are keen to get on the rides.
Alani says, “I’ve always been big on the rides, even though for the longest time I was scared of the Midnight Madness.”
Midnight Madness, one of the show’s most popular rides for kids, is recognised for being thrilling and fun to ride, making it popular with young teenagers.
Jonathon says, “I’m most keen for getting out of the house and having a chance to spend time with my friends, it’s more of a social thing for me.”
Every year at the show, they put on a fantastic fireworks display and Cecelia Noel says she is very much looking forward to that.
“I’m excited to see how I go this year; I’m going to try out the big rides, I’m not quite sure about the speed though” says Alani.
The Speed, considered one of the show’s largest and most thrilling rides, is a significant challenge for some.
Cecelia says, “my favourite thing when I was younger were those games you play when you win all the prizes, I was never really a big fan of the rides when I was little, I’m more excited now though.”
“I’m also keen for the rides, my favourite thing about the past show was the kamikaze, it was pretty cool,” says Jonathon, who is keen to experience The Speed.
“The show bags were my favourite when I was little, I had a Monster High show bag and it was amazing,” says Alani who adds she has always liked the tattoo competitions.
The show also hosts a variety of contests, including ones for decorated cakes, school displays, works of art, tattoos, and more, including Circus Elements who will be performing circus workshops and entertaining show-goers.
Bruce McIntosh, President of the group that runs the show, told us on Tuesday, there are “heaps of new rides, and we have still got rides coming in”.
Tickets available at the gates which open at Memorial Oval from 5pm Thursday and stay open until 10pm, before opening all day Friday and Saturday from 9am.
Adults can get in for $20, kids under 15 pay $10, while children under five can enter for free. A family ticket is $35.
