The Ekka of Outback Queensland is set to make a return on Friday September 10 and Saturday September 11 when the Quilpie Show & Rodeo kicks off with a night of high intensity bull riding leading into a full day of old-school Show fun, with the event culminating in live music and one of the Outback’s most spectacular fireworks displays Saturday night.

“Our Show has a great tradition in the Quilpie Shire and surrounding regions and has run for 70 plus years.  Last year we sadly had to cancel because of COVID, so we’re all very excited – and relieved – that we can go ahead this year with a line-up that’s bigger and better than we’ve ever had before,” said Dannielle Stevenson, President of the Quilpie Show Society.

Losing the Ekka again this year was a big blow to many in the Outback who would traditionally head to the city to either participate in or attend the event.  So while our event doesn’t have the scale of the Ekka it’s become even more important for our locals, and gives tourists the opportunity to experience all the heart of a great country Show while they also enjoy our beautiful region. Our Show is rich with tradition, great entertainment, food, art, agriculture and more.  It’s an event that the whole community throws themselves behind.”

Some of Queensland’s toughest cowboys including Cody Kelly (Kingaroy), Bradly Brown (Roma), US National Rodeo Association Junior Champion Nash Jones (Haigslea) and 11 year-old young gun Clay Egan will hit the red earth of Outback Queensland when they compete for more than $4,000 in prizes at the Quilpie Show Rodeo on Friday September 10.

The cowboys will put their grit on the line as they battle to spend eight seconds atop 900kg of raging fury on some of the best bulls the Channel Country produces.The Quilpie Rodeo ranges from the Open guns putting their bodies on the line, down to a Mini Bull Ride for kids as young as seven years old.

The Junior Bull Riders will compete on specially bred mini-bulls from Egan Family Mini Bulls that stand a diminutive 1.2 metres tall to their hip.

Egan has imported specially made belt buckles from the US – usually reserved just for the Open Riders – that will be presented to the winning junior riders for the first time as part of the Quilpie Rodeo.

The Rodeo kicks off a bucking great weekend of family fun and entertainment with all the goodness of a country show on display the next day when the Pavilion Doors Swing open from 9am on Saturday September 11 on bush flower and food displays and some of the best jams and relishes, and biggest pumpkins in the bush. Show day features a family fun day and night of live music, dancing and fireworks – as well as Quilpie’s unique Scarecrow competition and some of the Outback’s best baking.

This year’s feature cake will be an Orange Cake made using a CWA recipe, as well as Show staples including Brownies, Patty Cakes, Scones and Fruit Cake.

Quilpie Show has become renowned for their annual Scarecrow competition, that has been replicated by other shows, and last year still ran online when the live show event had to be cancelled because of COVID.

The Home Grown and sheep and wool revival theme was also incorporated into the photographic and arts competitions with more than 220 entries into the photography competition.

The entertainment line-up for the Quilpie Show will include all the fun of the renowned Crack-Up Sisters, Aussie FMX action packed Freestyle Motocross stunts, the Let ‘er Buck Kids Bouncy Rodeo, and an 8.00pm fireworks display followed by a performance by country rock performer Russell Dewhurst.

The big day of fun will end with last drinks at 11.45pm on the Saturday night.

 

WHAT:              Quilpie Show and Rodeo

                         Rodeo action includes Open, Novice, Junior and Mini-Bull Rides

            The Show includes scarecrow competition, arts, garden and photographic competition, food and plants, rides, entertainment and more.

WHEN:               Friday September 10 – Quilpie Buckin Rodeo

                          5.30pm onwards

                          Saturday September 11 – Quilpie Show

                          9.00am               Pavilion Doors Open

                         10.00am             Let er’ Buck

                        11.00am             Crack-Up Sisters

                        11.30am             Let er’ Buck

                        12.30pm             Quilpie Band

                         1.00pm               Officially Opening and prizes presented

                         1.30pm               Aussie FMX

                        5.00pm               Crack-Up Sisters

                        6.00pm               Let er’ Buck

                        7.30pm               Aussie FMX

                        8.00pm               Fireworks

                       9.00pm               Russell Dewhurst Music

                       11.45pm             Bar Closes

 

WHERE:          Bulloo Park Complex, Bulnbuln Street, QUILPIE QLD

To round out a big September Quilpie will then host the 2021 Quilpie Bike Gymkhana & Enduro on September 25^th & 26^th at the Quilpie Golf Club.  This event offers over $17,000 in cash and prizes.

Further information and images to come on the 2021 Quilpie Bike Gymkhana & Enduro event.