[1] The show welcomes 21,000 competition entries, 10,000 animals, and hours of free family entertainment, including a night program.

The significance of the first exhibition held in 1876 was described by locals as the most important event since the separation of Queensland from New South Wales in 1859.

[6] It was later named the John Macdonald stand in recognition of a long-serving member of the Royal National Association.

It was a chance for people to show off newly invented agricultural and industrial devices such as ultra modern ploughing, sowing and harvesting artefacts.

The Ekka is Brisbane's most popular event of any sort, with around 400,000 visitors attending the show in recent years.

Attractions at the Ekka include fairground rides, a Side Show Alley, animal parades, woodchopping competitions, agricultural displays and equestrian events.

Showbags range from $1, $2 (the famous Bertie Beetle Bag) and up to $108, providing companies the opportunity to offer their merchandise to the public at discounted prices.

The competitions include agricultural products such as livestock, fruit and vegetables, and skills in areas as diverse as farriery and cake decorating.

Estimates of this number average around the $100 million mark, yet this amount may fluctuate with weather in Brisbane at the time (a particularly wet August may reduce attendance significantly).

[20] Because of the cultural significance of the Ekka, the City of Brisbane holds a Wednesday public holiday known as "People's Day".