This Year's Ekka Public Holiday Is Moving to October to Give Brisbanites Another Bonus Long Weekend
You didn't get a Wednesday off work this year, but you can sleep in on a Friday instead.
Usually when August rolls around, the Ekka takes over Brisbane. And, to encourage everyone to get their fix of rides, sideshows and showbags, the city scores a midweek public holiday to celebrate. But in 2021, the annual exhibition was cancelled due to the city's most recent COVID-19 outbreak and lockdown, which meant that enjoying a Wednesday without work didn't happen. And yes, this is exactly what occurred in 2020 as well.
This year, just like last, the Queensland Government is moving the Ekka public holiday — so everyone is still getting a day off, even if it didn't happen when it usually does. Also like in 2020, that day without work will now happen on a Friday. Yes, you'll be scoring a bonus long weekend.
If you had work plans for Friday, October 29, they've now been cancelled. Instead, prepare to sleep in, kick back and even head out of town. 'People's Day' is once again becoming 'People's Long Weekend', and yes, that means that Brisbanites will receive a three-day work-free span. Obviously, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk is encouraging everyone to make the most of it.
Announcing the change of date — which is in effect for 2021 and 2021 only — the Premier said it'll be "a wonderful long weekend", with the move applying to folks in the Brisbane, Moreton Bay and Scenic Rim areas. "This long weekend was such a success the last time we did it," the continued, while noting that border restrictions and the status of COVID-19 in other states means that holidaying in Queensland is the preferred idea.
BREAKING: @TheEkka public holiday will be moved to Friday, 29 October after the event was cancelled due to COVID-19.
The new public holiday applies to the Local Government Areas of Brisbane, the Scenic Rim and Moreton Bay.#Ekka #GoodToGo pic.twitter.com/SRwvyy7R44
— Annastacia Palaszczuk (@AnnastaciaMP) August 17, 2021
Brisbane's 'People's Day' public holiday will now take place on Friday, October 29. For further details, read the Queensland Government's announcement.
For more information about the status of COVID-19 in Queensland, head to the QLD COVID-19 hub and the Queensland Health website. More details about the lockdown and associated restrictions can also be found on the Queensland Health website.
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