Great news getaway fans, this Year’s Ekka Show Holiday has been moved to create a one-off long weekend.
No, it is not the Ekka but it will give us all the chance for a mini-break and help local tourism. For this year only, People’s Day will become the People’s Long Weekend moving from Wednesday August 12 to Friday August 14.
Tourism Minister Kate Jones encouraged families to take advantage of the new long weekend and support Queensland tourism businesses.
“This is a great win for the tourism industry,” Ms Jones said.
“We’re urging families to take advantage of the long weekend – get out of the house and support local businesses.”
RNA President David Thomas said organisers are happy to surrender the Show Holiday. Just this once.
“Since we can’t have the Ekka as we usually do, it’s good that People’s Day can help other people,” he said.
“Since 1876, the RNA has helped the community in times of need, including our Showgrounds being used as a treatment centre in 1919 for those suffering from Spanish Influenza; to an evacuation centre for the 2011 Brisbane floods and acting as a temporary hospital if needed for Covid-19.”
“The Ekka is the People’s Show and for 143 years it has bought countless generations and communities together from the bush to the city to showcase, support and celebrate what makes this state great.“
“Queenslanders have always helped each other in times of need – the one-off People’s Long Weekend provides us all with a chance to show our support once again.”
Earlier in the year, the RNA made the decision to cancel the 2020 Royal Queensland Show (Ekka) in interest of public health. It is only the third time in the Ekka’s 143-year history that the show has been cancelled. The Ekka was cancelled in 1919 due to the Spanish Flu epidemic and in 1942 when the grounds were used as a World War II staging depot.
People’s Long Weekend 2020 runs Friday August 14 to Sunday August 16. It is unclear if regional councils will follow suit.
