The Towers Pastoral, Agricultural and Mining Association (or TPA&M) held its first exhibition in 1880 at what is now the Showgrounds. It became an annual tradition, gathering to exhibit cattle, mining equipment and blacksmithing, farm produce, horticulture and crafts. Horse sports were also held, and gradually the exhibit grew to become known as The Charters Towers Show.
While many of the original buildings are gone, the grandstand is still there, alongside old World War Two military huts used as the exhibition halls.