In ten years at AALARA, I’ve never done anything quite like this — but I wish I had sooner. You don’t know what you don’t know until you live it.

The final day rolls in with rain — and plenty of it. Spirits could’ve been dampened, but this is the Show. It goes on.

Today, I trade my ticket box and Goldenway uniform for my AALARA name badge and shirt.

It may be Susan’s birthday today — but on the Showground, it’s showtime as usual.

Back in the booth, I’m sort of getting the hang of it. I share the space with the operators and listen with intrigue to their stories.

Unheard of on the Showgrounds, I get the day off to explore with the kids.

I’m secretly thrilled to be back in the ticket box at The Lunarix. The music is loud, the lights brighter, and the adrenaline contagious.

Today, I’m trying my hand at The Luckies. Before today, “Luckies” to me meant Irish good fortune.

Uniforms collected from the Goldenway Amusements office,  I’m officially on the team!

Don the high-vis and get ready for the media scrum! It’s bump in day.