The show attracts around 500,000 people. This has created new problems for the Claremont venue, which was selected over 100 years ago. Parking at the show is notoriously difficult due to a lack of parking spaces around the Claremont area. To facilitate the growth of the show, parking space is hired on private front lawns and school/club parking areas proximal to the show. This activity is community natured, and is often organised by school children or run as a fundraiser for a school or club. Showgrounds railway station is on the Fremantle line of the Perth public transport system, which provides transport during the show and for other major events at the showground. Bus services also operate to the nearby area. A family going to the show can purchase a FamilyRider ticket from railway station ticket machines or on buses.
The scope of the show has also expanded. Although it includes traditional events – such as animal competitions – its agricultural focus has been somewhat replaced by a commercial fairground atmosphere. The "showbags", which became part of Australian shows as an advertising gimmick, are now sold at prices ranging from $1 to $150 each, and contain a number of cheap novelty toys and lollies. Showbags are related to a particular lolly product, television show, product brand name, or "jumbo" bags containing a number of brands. They are a focal point of the show for many younger children. The show also hosts a sideshow alley. Rides are paid for at the venue. Rides include several haunted houses and bumper cars, among others. The show features the "Mega Drop", the world's fastest and fastest accelerating drop ride, reaching speeds of up to 204 km/h in 1.8 seconds. Sideshow Alley also features numerous show games. These include fishing, shooting, and tossing games. In fishing games the player must use a fishing rod to fish out a small plastic duck or other object, which has a prize number on the bottom. Shooting games, common at many shows, involve shooting down tin cans using a low-powered air rifle and usually, corks as ammunition. "Tossing" games involve throwing balls into buckets.
Shows and performances
An entry fee applies to enter the grounds. This fee covers the more "traditional" aspects of the show in providing information to Western Australians. For example, free events at the show include:
Various events in the main arena including wood-chopping, equestrian events such as horse racing and – more recently - monster trucks
A large number of various shows in pavilions, exhibiting such things as animals and new products
The show was originally funded entirely by the Royal Agricultural Society. The current show is funded by the society, the Western Australian Government, visitors' entry fees, competitors' fees and commercial sponsorships.
