Too expensive? Price gouging?

The state's annual agricultural and horticultural "Show" is coming up at the beginning of next month. The ticket prices have just been announced. Yes, they have gone up. 

There have been wails of protest. People are saying it is "too expensive". Even the editorial in this morning's paper was saying this.

I looked at the prices. I then looked up the price of going to a football match - the AFL sort. I also thought back to the price of going to the much talked about "Taylor Swift" concerts. 

The Show is a once a year event. You can go early in the morning and stay until late in the evening. Along the way you can see all sorts of animals, farm produce, market garden produce, flowers, art, wine, honey, handicrafts, wood chopping, all sorts of other events in the arena (lots of horsey things if you like horses) and displays of all sorts. The police band plays and there are other free concert events for adults and children. There is an art display. Add to that there are side shows and rides and all sorts of businesses displaying their wares.  In the evening there is a fireworks display as well. (Yes, I hope it doesn't rain!)

If you pre-purchase your ticket it is actually cheaper to go to enter the Show for the day than it is to go to the footy for an afternoon. You can take your own food and drink to the Show if you don't want to buy anything there. You cannot do that at the footy. It is cheaper to do either of these things than go to that concert for a couple of hours.

The Show is run by a private not-for-profit charity. It relies heavily on the services of volunteers. Without them it would be much more expensive. It is also the premier event for the rural community. We need the farmers and other agricultural people. Awards there can boost business and that helps the entire state.

It was a little disconcerting to find the editorial complaining about the price rises. Yes, they were steep but the Showground lost money for the two years the event could not be run. Like every other organisation the RAHS has to pay taxes and wages for the permanent staff. Costs have risen.

It is still a cheap day out compared with that concert or the footy.