The combination of sunshine and a public holiday meant families showed up in force with children in strollers taking in the delights the showgrounds had to offer. 

But nothing was more eye-catching than The Beast. 

The Courier journalist Caleb Cluff was the first person to brave the 45 metre high ride before opening and said he didn’t think the ride was going to be too bad. But it wasn’t long until he felt scared. 

“It’s terrifying because you go horizontal then you spin around and it comes back around really quickly and it’s almost too fast to be frightened,” Mr Cluff said. 

“On the upside it’s a great view from what I could see when I had my eyes open.”

Ballarat Show director Gerard Ballinger said although they don’t have the official crowd numbers yet, it would have to be one the biggest Friday’s in show history, judging by the lines. 

“I’ve never seen so many long queues, they're just pouring in and we're absolutely over the moon with the number of people here today,” Mr Ballinger said. 

And if the bad weather holds off until after the weekend, Mr Ballinger said he wouldn't be surprised if the show came close to breaking previous crowd records.

“We'll have to wait and see and hope it all falls into place and the crowds keep coming.”  

Attractions which drew the biggest crowds were the racing pigs, the circus and of course the rides. 

The line for The Beast was one of the longest, with the seats always full. 

“I’ve never seen a crowd like it, it's amazing, they want to have a look at everything on offer,” Mr Ballinger said.  

Visitors will have plenty to look forward to at Saturday’s events including the Australian Rolling Stones tour at 8pm and the crowd favorite fireworks spectacular which will be lighting the city’s skyline from 9pm. 

Gates to the show will be opened 9.30am to 10pm Saturday and 9.30am to 5pm Sunday.

Entry is $40 family, $17 adults, $10 pensioner, $7 children and children under five-year-old are free.