Today, Friday March 23, marks the first day of the Sydney institution the Royal Easter Show. The Easter show has been held since 1823 and is organised by the Royal Agricultural Society of New South Wales. Part agricultural show, fair and amusement park, it has been a popular event for many generations of Australians.Â
These photographs were taken by noted photographer Sam Hood in 1938 and are held by the Library as part of the collection of negatives known as the Home and Away collection. The photographs depict show goers with their sample bags of treats which were at the time were free. Today sample bags have mostly given way to a commercial version of treat and toy bags called show bags, which are for sale. The Royal Easter show closes for the year on April 3rd.
