From Sunny Boys to Milkos and Police Academy: Retro adverts show what Easter Show bags were REALLY like – and how much cheaper they were
- Showbags are one of the most important – and costly – aspects of Sydney’s Royal Easter Show
- They originated in the 1900s as sample bags – offering showgoers the chance to try products for free
- By the 1920s, the bags were no longer free, as the out of pocket expenses for businesses skyrocketed
- Bertie’s Beetles remained a firm favourite at just $2 in 1991, and the bag has maintained the low pricetag since
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The Royal Easter Show has got bigger and better every year since it first started almost two centuries ago and the 2019 extravaganza bears little resemblance to how the show first looked in 1823.
But one thing that has stood the test of time is the Easter carnival’s beloved showbags.
The annual two-week festival at Sydney Olympic Park is touted as country meeting city, but in reality it’s all about what’s inside bustling Showbag Hall that counts.
While they have certainly changed over the years, the showbags are now considered one of the most important – and costly – aspects of the day.
Daily Mail Australia looks back on the history of the showbag, with some favourites remaining just as popular today as they were years ago.
Daily Mail Australia looks back on the history of the showbag, with some favourites remaining just as popular today as they were years ago
The annual two-week festival at Sydney Olympic Park is touted as country meeting city, but in reality it’s all about what’s inside the bustling Showbag Hall that counts
Bertie’s Beetles remained a firm favourite at just $2 in 1991, and is still selling for the same price at the 2019 show. It features four Bertie Beetle’s and three Allens Redskin Sticks
Showbags actually originated in the 1900s as sample bags – offering show-goers the chance to try products for free.
By the 1920s, the bags were no longer free samples, as the out of pocket expenses for businesses skyrocketed.
While questionable products like coal and laxatives were once included, by the 1950s toys and snacks began to dominate the popular and returning showbags.
The top choices for the show in 1991 were filled with lollies, and ranged in price from $4 to $10 for the ‘Worlds Biggest Showbag’.
Other bags included The Sunny Boy, Fresha Licorice, CandyMan and Happy Snax.
However, it was the Bertie’s Beetles that was a firm favourite – and cheaper option for many families – at just $2 in 1991.
In 2019, the bag is still selling for the same price and features four Bertie Beetle’s and three Allens Redskin Sticks.
While they have certainly changed over the years, the showbags are now considered one of the most important – and costly – parts of the day. Children have been enjoying the showbag since the 1900s
Children are pictured here in this archival photo with sample show bags at the Royal Easter Show during the twentieth century
Showbags actually originated in the 1900s as sample bags – offering show-goers the chance to try products for free
While sugary sweets were an important part of the showbags, organisers have been savvy enough to capitalise on the latest trends.
The 1991 season saw an influx of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles showbags, with the animated television series in its peak popularity.
Police Academy showbags were also on sale, as were Batman and the ever popular Mad Gags comedy bag.
Teenage favourites this year include merchandise from the Netflix’s cult series ‘Riverdale’ and the Jurassic World bag.
Teenage favourites this year include merchandise from the Netflix’s cult series ‘Riverdale’ and the Jurassic World bag
This year children have gone wild for the Hatchimals and Jurassic World showbags