The District Exhibits are at the very heart of the Sydney Royal Easter Show, combining glorious displays of fresh produce, design artistry and quintessential Aussie spirit into one of the Show’s most enduring and iconic traditions. Since their formal beginning in 1900, the District Exhibits have celebrated the skill, pride and collaboration of communities from across New South Wales, who come together every year to create vibrant, themed displays that both educate and awe Showgoers.
"Each year, four District Courts – Central, Northern, Southern and Western – bring months of meticulous planning to life in the Woolworths Food Dome. Court volunteers begin gathering produce almost as soon as the previous year’s Show ends, collecting harvests, preserves and fibres from a web of local connections throughout their regions. These treasures are then transported by truckloads to Sydney Showground, where teams transform grandstands into dazzling mosaics. Every detail of the exhibit, from giant pumpkins to bottles of olive oil, tells a story about local land, people and seasonal bounty.
But these stunning visual arrangements are more than decorative: every item is carefully judged by RAS specialists in categories that include fruits, vegetables, grains, wool, wine, preserves and even things like legumes and stock fodder. Many elements – like intricately projected, glued, and seeded artworks – are created in the months prior, during district workshops that foster creativity and camaraderie."
The competition is fierce, fair, and multifaceted. Each court is assessed in every produce category, with points awarded for qualities like aroma, taste, evenness and absence of blemishes. Judges – about 50 in total – award blue ribbons to standouts across more than 80 competitions. An estimated 50,000 pieces of produce are on display each year. The contest includes three major prizes:
Adaptations ensure equity: since not every district can grow every product, some sections can be excluded for some courts, making the challenge both fair and representative.
Located in the Woolworths Food Dome, the District Exhibits offer more than beautiful arrangements. With each visit, Showgoers can chat with friendly volunteers and real farmers, learn about the rich agricultural diversity of NSW, and even sample and purchase fresh fruit salads, local honey, commemorative tea towels and more at stalls out the front of each exhibit. For many, it’s a highlight to meet the volunteers who help bring these displays to life many of whom have captivating stories to share.
A fun tradition is “pumpkin bowling” – a friendly contest where a pumpkin is bowled, an onion acts as the white jack, and a carrot is used for measurement. These playful rituals underscore the district community’s dedication and wit.
The idea behind the District Exhibits dates to 1876, when show societies were first asked to assemble produce displays in separate themed “courts”. Railways later revolutionised access, enabling the freshest crops to reach Sydney within days, and made state-wide rivalry a cherished part of the Show.
The very first formal District Exhibit competition was staged in 1900, with seven districts competing for honours. Over the next century, the contest evolved – professional designers joined from the 1960s, the range of featured produce expanded, and the scale of the spectacle grew ever grander.
Displays commemorated national milestones and responded to changing agricultural trends while always showcasing the resilience and creativity of NSW’s farmers. The District Exhibits Perpetual Shield – first awarded in 1911 and still presented annually – remains the oldest trophy in continuous RAS competition. Each new year, a roundel is added for the winning region, marking the ongoing legacy of this rich Show tradition.
Nowhere else in Australia, or the world, can you experience displays like these – living artworks that turn regional rivalry into celebration. The District Exhibits have won multiple international awards and are frequently listed by Show visitors as the “can’t-miss” attraction of their experience. The exhibitions are designed not only to showcase world-class produce but also to foster a deeper understanding of agriculture’s role in our lives.
Don’t miss your chance to marvel at the creative displays, meet the passionate people behind them, and explore the flavours and stories of NSW at their finest. Each visit promises something new – whether it’s tasting fresh fruit, learning from a volunteer, or discovering the fine detail in a seed mosaic you never noticed before.
