They just also happen to have a curly tail and a snout as well.

While it may make for an unusual sight, pig racing is among the many highlights for punters at this year's Canberra Show.

Kev Kiley from Noah's Farm Thoroughbred Pig Racing said there was one reason most people came to watch the event.

"It's maximum cuteness, people just have an affinity with pigs. I have no idea what it is," Mr Kiley said.

"The pigs are doing it off their own back. We're here to make sure they go in the right direction, it's very difficult to call a race if they're going backwards."

Racing through an obstacle course of tunnels, ramps and hay bales, Kiley said while there wasn't a favourite to take out the races, it was all about the entertainment for the families having a day out at the show.

"The fastest race was one minute, in the slowest we had to stop for lunch," Mr Kiley joked. "People tend to like the naked pig without a vest. You can run races in the raw in pig racing, but not at the Olympics."

Even though it was early on the opening day of the show, thousands of people packed out Exhibition Park to get a taste of the country in the city. A key stop for many was the farmyard nursery, where Sharon Roby was showcasing her seven miniature goats from Bendigo.

"We've been here for four years, and this is one of the best shows," she said.

"The people who attend the show always come here. People are just drawn to the animals.

"Sometimes you see the same families come through again during the day because they want to come back."

It was all systems go at the showbag pavilion with Canberra's Samantha Davis already clutching multiple bags with her two children at 10am. Although she didn't let her kids have all the fun.

"The Bluey showbag was a big one at the pavilion, but the Harry Potter one was for me," she said.

"We thought we would have a girls' day out today. We try to come to the show every year."

When: From 8.30am to 10pm on Saturday and 8.30am to 6.30pm on Sunday.

Cost: $12 for kids, students and concessions; $20 for adults; $50 for families (two adults, two kids). Kids under six free.

Where: At Exhibition Park (EPIC). Parking ($5 flat fee) is available at Old Well Station Road via Morisset Road or Northbourne Avenue and at Thoroughbred Park, off Randwick Road. The nearest light rail station is the EPIC and Racecourse stop, within walking distance of the showground. For those getting Ubers or taxis, drop-offs and pick ups will be at Randwick Road.

See canberrashow.org.au for more information.