<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The gates have opened for the 118th annual Gold Coast Show.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>This year's show features the largest side-show alley in the show's history.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate anticipates record attendance figures across the long weekend.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"I believe we will reach 120,000 in three days, so that's a huge celebration," Tate said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/porepunkah-victoria-police-officer-shooting-people-escorted-from-home/58cb7c8b-9cc2-412b-baf9-94a6619eebe4" target="_blank"><strong><span>Teenage boy, woman arrested by police in Porepunkah investigation</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The city enjoyed a public holiday today as crowds flocked to the parklands.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Showgoers were observed exploring all the traditional show fare, ranging from traditional Dagwood dogs to potato slinkies.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/gold-coast-show-gates-open-queensland-news/c8c96928-7529-4a36-ad1e-8d5cf8bd17b7" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Some thrill-seekers headed straight for the rides, while others didn't share the enthusiasm.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"I was thinking, 'Am I going to throw up? I was scared for my life if I'm being honest'," one queasy show-goer told 9News.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Beyond the rides and food, the show also featured unique attractions.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Equestrian competitions took place along the shoreline, dog diving events provided further entertainment and a farm life experience was available for children.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><span>This article was produced with the assistance of</span></em><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/technology/9express/16480c33-636a-461f-9c4f-d0e2522c722a"><em><span>9ExPress</span></em></a><em><span>.</span></em></div></div>