Showing Melbourne some country fun

Snowmen and snowball fights will compete with fuzzy ducklings, piglets and thrill rides when truckloads of snow are transported from Victoria's ski fields to the 2017 Royal Melbourne Show.

For most visitors the show's heart lies in its agricultural roots, giving city slickers a taste of everyday rural life.

But this year's attractions include a little bit of winter magic after a bumper snow season, with tonnes of the white stuff due to arrive from Mt Buller so show-goers can build snowmen and experience a winter wonderland for the first time.

The Royal Melbourne Show means many things to many people but most importantly it brings a little bit of country to town.

"It's about engaging with agriculture," Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria chief executive Mark O'Sullivan said as organisers prepared to open the gates on Saturday.

"The urban population these days are not as connected with agriculture or farming as we used to be," Mr O'Sullivan said.

The event, which has a history spanning almost 170 years, has been forced to modernise and incorporate some action, glitz and glamour while retaining its rural backdrop.

Over 11 days, visitors will be treated to daily performances from a freestyle motocross team, and comedic daredevil Bello Nock, once named America's best clown by Time Magazine.

There's also a new ride for thrill-seekers and rollercoaster heads, The Skywalker, as well as the more traditional carousels and pony rides.

Patrons after a more hands-on, grassroots experience can instead opt to pat a cute piglet or chicken, learn how to grind wheat into flour and watch the arguably arduous processes of shearing a sheep, milking a cow or wood chopping.

Visitors can recharge with the iconic carnival classics like corn dogs, chips and fairy floss, or partake in a more culinary snack.

In a nod to increased security requirements, there will be bag checks at the gate for the first time in the event's history.

The 162nd Royal Melbourne Show runs until October 3.