by Alan Quick

OKEHAMPTON and District Agricultural Association say plans for the 110th Okehampton Show on Thursday, August 10 at Stoney Park Showground, just outside Okehampton, are progressing well.

This traditional countryside event, where animals take pride of place, is a very popular day out in a beautiful setting on the northern edge of the Dartmoor National Park and is a great opportunity to meet with friends from far and wide.

With all-day entertainment and approximately 200 trade stands there’s plenty for everyone to see and do throughout the day.

The Entertainment Ring provides an all-day programme from 10am with a wide range of displays from the local area including the North Devon Gundog Club, West Country Falconry, the Royal Military Police Trials Bike Team and Victor Pitts Sheep Dogs.

Other entertainment includes Ozzy D the Magician, Morris Dancers, Jazz Band, ferret racing and the Dartmoor Reptiles team.

Other attractions to see include a Red Arrows simulator, traditional rural crafts including a blacksmith and basket making and a sawmill demonstration. The Friends of the Dartmoor Hill Pony will have a display about farming.

The Food Hall offers a wonderful array of delicious products ranging from cider, wine, sweet treats, fresh farm meats and cheeses, all from local Devon producers. Local catering outlets provide hot and cold food and the public bar stocks a good range of beers and ciders.

The Main Ring hosts a range of horse classes including the elegant and skilled side saddle and carriage driving exhibitors and heavy horse classes, including, new for this year, a Ridden Heavy Horse Class.

The afternoon Grand Parade and Presentation displays the exceptional quality of animals exhibited at the Show.

A display of three different packs of hounds is always great fun where youngsters are invited into the ring to meet the hounds.

The Friends of the Dartmoor Hill Pony will give a display about farming. And to round off the day is the popular Tug of War Competition. Well behaved dogs are welcome and there is a fun family dog show and terrier racing that can be entered on the day.

The number of cattle and sheep at Okehampton Show is one of the largest for a one-day agricultural show in the county with more than 1,500 livestock entries.

Visitors can expect to see a wide array of breeds of not only cattle and sheep but pigs, pygmy goats, and dairy goats as well as a well-supported poultry section. The Show is pleased to welcome the return of the rabbit section this year.

The Shearing Competition has been hugely popular with its fast and furious speed shearing which requires a huge amount of skill from our competitors. There were a record number of entries last year and the event always attracts a large crowd throughout the day to cheer on the competitors.

The agricultural machinery section gets bigger each year and youngsters really enjoy getting close to these large machines, finding out how they work and their job on the farm. The vintage vehicle section and their parade in the main ring is a fascinating step back in time and will bring back fond memories for some and don’t miss the threshing machine in action!

The Craft Hall has a marvellous display of workmanship, making it quite impossible to leave there without at least one purchase. The Open/Horticulture/WI Section is always fascinating to see and will include wonderful creations in floral art and cookery entries.

Haldon Group of Young Farmers’ Clubs will be holding its annual Rally at Show again this year.

The Okehampton Branch of the Devon Beekeepers’ Association’s hosts its Annual Honey Show in the Bee Marquee.

Advance discounted tickets are on sale online and available locally from The Show Office, Okehampton, Donald’s Menswear, Okeford Veterinary Centre and Mole Avon (Crediton and Okehampton) £10.50 per adult (£13 on Showday), £4 per child 5-16, under 5s free, a Family Ticket which includes entry for two adults, two children is £25 (£30 on Showday). Gates open to the public at 9am. There is free entry to the Showground after 5.30pm.

Parking in the public car park is free, and there is non-reserved and reserved disabled parking (please book in advance) within the public car parks.

For further details contact the office on 01837 659965 or visit: www.okehamptonshow.co.uk or email: [email protected] .