The Sydney Royal Easter Show kicked off its 2022 exhibition on April 8, attracting thousands of Australians to enjoy rides, shows, food, and other carnival activities.

The show is currently running at the Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park and will be in operation until April 19, 2022.

So, for those of you who are looking to visit the exhibition, you still have a couple more days to plan your trip and enjoy the rides at the show.

Speaking of the Sydney Easter Show, there's one chocolate bar that has become synonymous with the celebration...and we're sure many of you are familiar with it!

Generations of Australians have fallen in love with the classic Bertie Beetle chocolate, making it one of the most sought after treats during the Sydney Show.

The treat has amassed a cult following for several generations of Aussies. Credit: Instagram.​

We have to admit that it’s a rare Easter show if we talk out the pavilion without bags of this treat in our hands, but did you know that the sought-after treat started with humble beginnings?

Invented in 1963 at Hoadley's Melbourne chocolate factory, the first Bertie Beetle chocolate was made from leftover shards of honeycomb from the company's production of Violet Crumble and was said to be the company's "answer" to rival Cadbury's Freddo Frog.

It was said that the name of the chocolate was inspired by the association of the name "Bertie" with beetles — decades before Hoadley's decided to give that name to its new chocolate product.

The chocolate appeared at Hoadley's Chocolate Showbag in the same year, alongside Violet Crumble and Polly Waffle.

In 1970, Hoadley's was taken over by confectionery company Rowntree.

Bertie Beetle was eventually withdrawn from sale and became exclusively available for purchase in a show bag at the Royal Shows and Exhibitions in various states.

But, in 1972, Bertie Beetle's popularity proved that the chocolate bar was on its way to becoming one of Australia's most beloved treats when it received its very own Showbag.

The chocolate was previously made exclusively available at the Royal Shows and Exhibitions in various states. Credit: Nine.​

Today, the chocolate has a cult following and is available in six different show bags at the Royal Shows in various states.

The Bertie Beetles show bags were traditionally sold for $2, containing other sweet treats such as the Red Ripperz.

While the show bag increased its price in 2006 to $3, in 2007, the cost returned to $2 and has remained that way ever since.

For those of you who have not tried the chocolate bar and are looking forward to getting your hands on them, you don't need to wait for the Royal Shows to come to your state!

A range of Bertie Beetle show bags and other products were made available for purchase online in 2016, allowing Aussies to nab the products without having to visit the Royal Shows.

Some of the notable show bags in the range include the Bertie Beetle Biggest Showbag, which contains 80 Bertie Beetle chocolates, the Bertie Beetle Bounty Box, which features 150 Bertie Beetle chocolates and comes in a gift box, the Bertie Beetle Bulk Bundle, which comes in a carton of 250 Bertie Beetles, and the Bertie Beetle Huge Haul which includes 350 Bertie Beetle chocolates.

For those of you who are curious about the history of the show bags in Royal Shows, we recommend checking this video out:

Credit: YouTube/Channel 10​

Are you looking forward to getting your hands on this delicious chocolate bar? Also, what are some of your favourite carnival treats? Share them with us in the comments below!

 

[JayKay]

The Bertie Beetle Show bag from the Melbourne Show was top of the list (of one)
for my children.
The essential treats were Fairy Floss along with a bucket of chips with chicken salt added. I took the rest of our food, sandwiches and fruit and water.
To this day, they recall these treats with relish.....they created great memories of our "tradition".

 

[Ricci]

Not being a lover of crowds I have never been to any of the shows and therefore have never had any showbags. My kids were in their late teens before they took themselves to the show and by that time were not interested in showbags. I don't feel that we missed out on anything, and to this day neither of my kids (both in their late 30's) have needed a filling in their teeth!!