AusLeisure

The building that originally hosted the Royal Queensland Show will be used for the first time in 119 years when the gates open in August at the 139th Ekka.

The 'Old Museum' in Brisbane will host the flower and garden exhibitions, the bush poetry competition and a range of childrens’ activities.

The grand red brick building was the official home of the Exhibition until 1897, when it was taken over by the Queensland Government during a depression and turned into the Queensland Museum.

Its return to the Ekka was announced at the official launch of the 2016 program in Brisbane with those gathered getting a preview at events scheduled for the annual show, including lumberjack competitions, the acrobatic group ZimboyZ, and tribute act The Keith Urban Experience.

RNA Chief Executive Brendan Christou said the night time entertainment would include extreme sports and the ever-popular fireworks displays..

Christou explained “we have this 25 metre tower that we're going to be shooting fireworks from throughout the night program, and we've got some fantastic new things that'll make their appearance during the 10 days of the show."

The Ekka will continue its proud tradition of showcasing some of the best Queensland has to offer with 21,000 competition entries and around 10,000 animals being judged.

Around 400,000 people are expected to attend Queensland’s largest annual event between 5th and 14th August.

Images (from top): Brisbane's Old Museum, today and a century ago; and top rides at The Ekka.

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