The Ekka may be cancelled this year, but that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the festivities.
Here’s how you can get a taste of the Ekka here in Ipswich this weekend.
Strawberries and cream sundaes
Just because the Ekka isn’t on doesn’t mean you will miss out on the Ungermann Brothers stand.
Visit the famous Ipswich ice creamery at 88 Limestone Street to tuck into some special strawberry and cream sundaes that the ice cream chef has whipped up.
The sundaes will be available between 14 and 21 August.
Raw Energy Springfield are also offering a real fruit smoothie milkshake topped with chopped strawberries, ice cream and whipped cream as an Ekka special from Monday, 10 August to Sunday, 16 August.
A previous version of this story had included a pop-up Ekka strawberry sundae shop at Springfield Orion Hotel, but this event has been cancelled.
Live music at the Soul Nook Collective
Kick off the Brisbane Ekka long weekend with a visit to The Soul Nook Collective.
The eclectic Marburg shop is pulling out all the stops for the Ekka long weekend, including live music by talented local artist Virjilla Joyce and the BrisVegans food truck on site between 11am and 2pm on Friday, 14 August.
There will also be an aroma diffuser crystal bracelet making workshop at 10am, a kids tile art class from 11am and an adults paint class at 12pm.
The shop will also be open, a cupcake stall will be onsite selling delicious cakes and organic coffee will be available.
See the llamas at home
You don’t have to miss out on seeing the Ekka llamas either, they live in Ipswich.
See them in their own backyard at The Llama Farm in Pine Mountain during a weekend farm tour.
Tours start at 9am. Llama walks are also available at 3pm in the afternoons.
Make a booking via The Llama Farm’s Facebook page.
An animal nursery at Haigslea
At the Haigslea Ewe Nique Hobby Farm get up close to a range of friendly farm animals including alpacas, goat and chickens.
The sheep are also currently lambing so there’s plenty of babies running around too.
Ewe Nique Hobby Farm are celebrating the Ekka long weekend with fairly floss, showbags and strawberry sundaes.
Make a booking via the Haigslea Ewe Nique Hobby Farm Facebook page.
Dagwood dogs and fairy floss milkshakes
The Retro Diner will be serving a special Ekka menu from Friday, 14 August to Sunday, 16 August. There’s dagwood dogs with fries, mac ‘n’ cheese wraps, all day breakfast with banana and strawberry smash, French toast, crepes and more.
Check it out at 195 Brisbane Street, Ipswich.
Great to see the Exhibition (Brisbane Royal Show) being remembered by so many along with great favourites like the Strawberry Ice cream. Thankyou to Ipswich First Staff for keeping me updated for Events and News Ipswich and Suburbs.🎈💥🍓🍦🍓🍧 😊 🎤 Cheers Colleen