It’s show time – at the Rand Show

This year’s Rand Show is once again packed with entertainment, exhibitions, demonstrations and lots of free, fun activities for the whole family. The Rand Show takes place at the Johannesburg Expo Centre, NASREC from April 3 to 12.

“The Rand Show has a proud 120-year history of providing top quality entertainment and activities for its visitors,” said Craig Newman, CEO of the Expo Centre, Nasrec. “It gives everyone an opportunity to escape the ordinary, and has something for every member of the family to enjoy.”

Seven Themed Exhibition Halls.

“The Rand Show enables real business opportunities for everyone,” said Newman. “There are seven themed exhibition halls with hundreds of exhibitors showing off ideas, products and services, from family lifestyle and the home environment, to wellness, hobbies, sports, science and technology and action, all in one massive exhibition. Plus there are many open air lifestyle and adventure exhibits around the halls.”

Science and Technology boffins

Science “boff”s are in for a treat; both the Naked Scientist and Kalahari Scientist will be at the Show. Experilab and a science exhibit will once again show that science can be fun.

Engineers can feast their eyes on the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation exhibit as well as the amazing SKA!

South Africa’s Cake Boss at the Show!

Paul Viera of Cake Extreme will be at the show on Friday April 10 and Sunday April 12. Bakers can see the amazing and talented Paul in action!

Fun for Kids at Pirates Paradise

“We’ve got a brand new attraction for visitors this year, specially imported from Italy,” said Newman. “The spectacular nautical-themed Pirates Paradise play park is ideal for families with kids, and best news of all is it’s free! At the Rand Show, you always get more bang for your buck!'”

Pirates Paradise features giant creatures from the deep blue sea, guaranteed to keep kids entertained for hours. Biggest of them all is the Kraken, a nine-metre-high monster slide, plus numerous smaller slides and jumping castles for smaller pirates.

Rand Show’s Big Guns

The first ‘Rand Show’ was held by the Witwatersrand Agricultural Society 120 years ago in 1894 at Milner Park, now Wits University’s West Campus. It was officially opened by Paul Kruger.

The SA National Defence Force (SANDF) takes up its usual formation at the Rand Show, with massive tanks, army trucks and armoured cars, and plenty of camouflage nets. The SA Army, SA Air Force, SA Navy and SA Military Health Service will provide an action-packed programme demonstrating their skills with precision marching, and simulated full-action battle manoeuvres for Rand Show visitors.

Battle of the Behemoths

In a battle of a different kind, this year’s Rand Show hosts a qualifying round for the SA Strongest Man 2015 competition. The gruelling series of strength events concludes with the most impressive challenge – the World’s Strongest Man signature Truck Pull.

Welcome To Animal Kingdom

For entertainment on the wilder side, nothing beats the Rand Show’s Animal Kingdom. Snake Bite Jones returns with his ever-popular interactive snake, reptile and creepy-crawly show.

Animal conservationist Bryan Vorster will have his feathered friends along for aerial acrobatics displays, including vultures, Harris hawks, owls, a cheeky parrot and an American kestrel. Dog lovers can enjoy two daily shows by the W&G Team.

Much More @ The Rand Show

The activity programme for both Rand Show weekends is absolutely packed! Just a few of these include a Harley Davidson parade, live concerts, drum majorettes display, SA Solar Car Challenge, Hip Hop demonstration, kids’ baking and making, Putt-Putt, LEGO Land, historic racing cars and classic American V8 cars, street rods and dragsters, talks by JJ of Garden World, hobby displays including mosaics, pewter, painting, decoupage, stencils and weaving craft and much more.

There’s so much more to see and do at the Rand Show! For more information on events and times, visit: www.randshow.co.za