When you think about an agricultural show, they have so many facets. There’s the showing in the main arena, the woodchop, the cake competition, the poultry section, the community performances, the food vendors, the rides and so much more. Every show has their unique take that brings the crowds in; this could be an evening rodeo or even a demolition derby. All are a drawcard for the show and as an annual event, the local show is always much anticipated.

Part of the mix is the entertainment which brings in the younger families and provides strong value for the attendees. Often these are frequented by magicians, reptile displays and face painting. So, would science work for your families? Absolutely! For years we’ve attended agricultural shows across NSW, VIC, ACT and SA to run science shows & workshops as part of the mix of entertainment. People of all ages love liquid nitrogen demonstrations and certainly younger kids cannot help but keep coming back to play with the science toys.

Science shows captivate audiences by blending excitement with education. Dramatic demonstrations like liquid nitrogen experiments, massive bubbles and more not only entertain but intrigue visitors of all ages. These engaging presentations attract diverse audiences and encourage families to spend more time exploring the show.

Adding an Educational Dimension

Schools are always looking for an educational element for a show. A science show adds another dimension to their visit, as the curriculum specifically asks for students to connect science with everyday life, let alone specific knowledge content. As many shows have a day when schools can attend, this is a natural reason to connect with local schools in the lead-up to the event.

Also, this goes beyond formal schooling – science demonstrations can educate subtly yet effectively as an entertaining format. Your visitors can gain valuable insights without feeling like they’re in a traditional educational setting. In the past, we’ve found that this is attractive for community grant funding for this very reason. It’s also an opportunity for local businesses to sponsor the science space as part of their corporate social responsibility programs.

Increased visitor retention

A drop-in science space offers families a place where young kids can get some respite from a busy show experience. We’ve found that kids often spend 30 minutes in our marquee and then come back again several times throughout the day for the same length of time. Young families often will leave a show early but will stay longer if the children are engaged. Hands-on activities in a shady space solve young families’ needs.

An opportunity to engage with sponsors

Sponsors are always looking for ways to give back to their community. Show entertainment is a great to connect with families in the area, and a science space very much is something that is memorable! Be sure to place the sponsor near the science space for additional foot traffic for their stand. Plus, with some notice, we can work in their content to fit into the show too!

Tips for Integrating Science Entertainment into Your Agricultural Show

• Create a timetable that meshes with your main arena events as well as other planned entertainment.
• Link with schools. Teachers will support the science space coming to your show as it fits with their curriculum directly, plus they are a natural avenue for to promote the science space as part of your overall show offering. Additionally, you can invite them to showcase what students have created at their school in the science space as well.
• Work with local businesses that align with the science space. We’ve worked with local energy companies, mines and agribusiness to integrate with what they need.
• Can you invite local scientists, farmers, or agricultural researchers to speak or hold short Q&A sessions at the science space?,
• Promote the educational benefits alongside the entertainment to appeal to parents and educators.
• Ensure the entertainment space is easily accessible and visually exciting to draw maximum attention.
• Plan to capture the moments for your social media; kids making gigantic bubbles or large fog clouds fro liquid nitrogen are fantastic eye-catchers!

Science shows and workshops are a proven hit at agricultural shows because they successfully blend entertainment with education, captivating audiences while providing valuable learning experiences. Next time you’re planning your show, consider adding science to your entertainment lineup—it will surely delight your audience and enhance the overall event experience!

Find out more about entertainment for agricultural shows here