The Pink family have been working Australia’s show circuit for five generations, since 1866 according to the head of the family – George.
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They spend almost the entire year travelling to shows across NSW and Queensland. But for the next three days, they’re serving food at Newcastle Regional Show.
“I’m a jack of all trades,” Mr Pink said. “We run the canteen now, we’ve slowed down. But I’m the executive, you’re working all the time. If the show society have a problem, you’ve just got to jump in and fix it.”
Mr Pink, 74, has spent his entire life living and working at shows all over the country.
His granddaughter is due to have a child within the next week, which could perhaps one day take the family’s operation in show business to six generations.
“I find it very, very interesting. I miss it when I’m not here. I get wild and I like a bit of a rest sometimes, but everything’s different every week; different societies, different classes of people.
“I have about six weeks off and in that time we go to a show convention somewhere overseas to see what the different ideas are.”
Mr Pink and his son, Glenn, can be found next to the show’s side show alley, which features over 20 rides.
Some of those will attract thrill-seeking teens, while others give parents a chance to take their kids for a spin.
With names like the Ghost Train, Gravatron, Midnight Express, Music Trip and Orbitron, there’s no shortage of adrenaline-pumping entertainment.
If G-forces aren’t your thing, the show has catered for all in a revitalized approach aimed at re-living experiences of years gone by.
Tent-pegging, barrel racing and a demolition derby are some of the old favourites back on the program, while photography, visual arts and handcraft exhibits are all available to see.
On Friday night, there’s a motorbike extravaganza followed by a 9pm fireworks display – also held in the same time slot on Saturday.
Musicians and performers will be stationed around the show’s grounds across the three days and a rodeo will prelude a country-music concert on Saturday night.
The show opens at 9am on Friday and closes at 10pm each night except Sunday when its concludes at 4pm.