Gates open at Sydney Royal Easter Show

Gates opened on Friday morning for the almost 200-year-old event, which runs until April 23.

Organisers have elevated the show's night-time entertainment, with a hot air balloon featuring trick-performing aerialists the star attraction.

The world-first performance will be accompanied by dare-devil motorbike riders from Shanghai, who take on the largest Sphere of Fear, also known as the Globe of Death.

"They all go in at once. It's full-on adrenaline," head of show entertainment Lynelle Smith told AAP.

As well as new attractions, the show still has the old favourites - with 14,000 animals, rides for all ages and 350 show bags.

"My (show bag) pick this year is Netflix's Riverdale, but for my boys they are really into Paw Patrol," show operation's manager Shane McGrath told AAP.

"Bertie Beetles are classic, he's been around for decades, it's my mum's favourite. Of course, Darrell Lea is a big favourite for young and old alike."

Food options continue to expand, with a new food truck zone and outdoor 'tucker box' featuring open-fire cooking.

"The shows always been known as hot chips, pies and hot dogs - but we've extended that way out," show general manager Murray Wilton said.

The show has also doubled the amount of its own beer, the 'Showstopper' - brewed by Mona Vale's Modus Operandi Brewing Company - after it sold out halfway through last year's show.

Mr Wilton says while drought is still affecting regional NSW - the number of entries have remained strong in most sections - apart from dairy, which has dropped.

"You look at the quality of livestock and fruit and veg (at the show) and it's probably not a real reflection of how tough it is in regional NSW," he said.

"Farmers look after their produce and their animals first. They come second."

More than 800,000 people visited the show in 2018. Organisers are hopeful the school holidays will bring even more through the gates this year.

Australian Associated Press