In pictures: Easter in Sydney over the years

Showbags, 1938

The Royal Easter Show has been providing sugar highs since the 1930s. Leslie, Kevin, Nora and Marie Fisher hold their showbags - Minties, Mickey Mouse and Cadbury. This photo was loaned to the City of Sydney Archives by Nora Fisher.

View this image in the City of Sydney archives.

Credit: City of Sydney Archives

Easter Parade, George Street, 1957

Siegfried Ziegler and his 2 small daughters Sonja (on the bonnet, with the best view) and Eva gather on George Street in front of Sydney Town Hall to watch the Easter parade go past on Park Street. The photo was taken by Frieda Ziegler and donated to the City of Sydney archives.

View this image in the City of Sydney archives.

Credit: City of Sydney Archives

Royal Easter Show, 1989

This one is bound to spark some memories for children of the 1980s. The chairlift! The popcorn! This photo is from a slideshow called ‘This Is Our Sydney,’ used by City of Sydney’s health education officers in the 1980s.

View this image in the City of Sydney archives.

Credit: City of Sydney Archives

Woodchopping, 1939

A lot has changed since 1939, but woodchopping remains a staple of the Sydney Royal Easter Show. This photo is from the City of Sydney Archives' Percy James Bryant collection.

View this image in the City of Sydney archives.

Credit: Percy James Bryant, City of Sydney Archives

Children in the Easter Parade, 1995

The Easter Parade down George Street was once a regular feature of Easter in Sydney. Children wave to the crowds in an era when fluro tulle, bandanas and colourful overalls reigned supreme.

View this image in the City of Sydney archives.

Credit: City of Sydney Archives

Giant inflatable Easter rabbit, George Street Sydney, 1995

The annual parade marked the official start to the Royal Easter Show for decades. Live animals were more a feature than blow-up ones. In 1994, 1,000 sheep were herded down George Street. There were also 500 clowns, 200 dogs, 20 bulls and a host of other animals that clogged the city for the parade.

View this image in the City of Sydney archives.

Credit: City of Sydney Archives

Royal Easter Show, 1973

The Royal Easter Show is still firmly tied to its agricultural roots. In 1973 a display about the story of chaff cutting, both steam and horse powered, drew a crowd.

View this image in the City of Sydney archives.

Credit: John Ward Transport Collection, City of Sydney Archives

Jimmy Sharman’s Boxing Troupe, 1939

Members of Jimmy Sharman's boxing troupe stand on a platform above showgoers in Sideshow Alley at the Royal Easter Show.

Note the banner for 'The Girl in the Goldfish Bowl' in the background.

View this image in the City of Sydney archives.

Credit: Percy James Bryant, City of Sydney Archives

Grand Parade, 1952

Pull up a seat in the Members Stand to watch the Grand Parade at the 1952 Royal Easter Show.

This photograph was donated to the City of Sydney Archives by Judy Underwood via the Ashfield Historical Society.

View this image in the City of Sydney archives.

Credit: City of Sydney Archives