Esperance and Districts Agricultural Society Inc.

About Esperance and Districts Agricultural Society Inc.

ESPERANCE AND DISTRICTS AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY- History

In 1952, the first official Esperance and District Agricultural Show was held in Hancock’s Hall on Andrew Street. There were over 330 entries of vegetable flowers, cookery and needlework and even a prize for the best dressed dog. The second Agricultural Show was held in 1953 at the RAOB Hall, known as the Bijou Theatre today, with a crowd of 700 people attending. Ring events such as exhibiting livestock ad horse-riding events were held on a vacant block opposite to the Bijou Theare. A novelty wheelbarrow race was also held this year with contestants pushing their passengers in a wheelbarrow from the jetty all the way to the RAOB Hall.

In 1954 to 1962 the Agricultural Show was held at the Fresh Air League on Goldfields Rd. The site later became the YHA and is now RAC Park additional accommodation built in 2023, with the original building remaining on the site.

In 1963, the show was moved to the current Greater Sports Ground where the Noel White Memorial Pavilion was built. Over the years, many other buildings were added at the showgrounds, such as sheds (or ‘pavilions’) to exhibit sheep, cattle and poultry.

The Agricultural show continued to grow. In 1968 the first two-day show was held. From humble beginnings of one merry go round, sideshow alley became a significant attraction.

In 2001, the 50th Esperance and Districts Agricultural Show was held, attracting a record crowd of around 10,000 people and featuring over 2000 entries in the indoor exhibits. Since then, the Agricultural Show has continued to draw crowds and delight Esperance locals and visitors. While sideshow alley, rides and showbags are popular, the show maintains its agricultural focus. It includes sheep and cattle, poultry, shearing events, a large equestrian program, indoor exhibits including flowers, produce, photography and baking, agricultural trade displays and the popular My Beaut Ute competition. The annual event showcases the best of our farming region.

As you can see, as the town grows, so does the show.