Three-year-old Harry Watts at the launch of the Melbourne Royal Show on Thursday. The laughing clowns game will cost $8 this year.Credit:Jason South
Children will enter for free but even the price of the humble Bertie Beetle showbag – a go-to for budget-conscious parents – has increased from $2 to $3.
At the launch of the Melbourne Royal Show on Thursday,chief executive Brad Jenkins was keen to focus on the excitement of the event returning after a1087-day break.
Jenkins said he wanted to offer a “great-value show for families”. The state government has pledged $2 million to provide free entry for children and there will be a $25 evening ticket for performances by bands including Sneaky Sound System,the Veronicas and Baker Boy.
Despite the deals,prices have increased across the board,with adult tickets costing $45,up from $42;ride prices up from $6 to $8 for basic rides;and showbags rising from $2 to $3 for a Bertie Beetle bag and from $30 to $32 for a Pokemon or Harry Potter-themed bag.
“You can’t put a price on a child coming to the show and that beaming smile when they see that cute little baby lamb for the first time or get on a ride for the first time or go into the showbag hall and select their showbag,” Jenkins said. “You can’t put a price on it,it’s magical.”
Ride operator Damian De Jong,owner of Action Events,said ride prices would be up this year as the sector battled rising insurance costs and increases across the board,from petrol to the fluffy toys used as sideshow prizes.