Showtime for Charleville!

ALL is in readiness for the 38th two day Charleville Agricultural Show which opens this weekend at the Pike Cross showgrounds some three miles south of Charleville town.

As usual Saturday belongs to the farming community with dairy cows, sheep and beef cattle competitions being decided and the start of the judging of the horse classes. The jumping classes also get underway on Saturday and continue on into Sunday.

Last year Charleville Show was voted Show of the Year 2016, their second time to be awarded this accolade, as three years earlier they also received this rating.

The organisers aim to stage a show again this year equal to, if not surpassing those events that earned them the reputation of being the best show in the country.

By Saturday the majority of the trade stands will be in action as will the amusements, the adult and children’s arts and crafts, the children’s art competition and decorative classes, while on Sunday the dog show will be in place and there will also be a junior section in the latter.

On Sunday also the old time crafts take pride of place along with the vintage section, which always attracts a huge attendance.

The best dressed family and the baby show is also on.

This year there will be a world record attempt in the sheaf tossing arena as tossers from around the country will be bidding to put their name to the record throw should they be successful.

The Pet’s Corner will again be a big attraction and it is expected that there will be a collection of unique animals on view.

This part of the show was the responsibility of the late Joe McAuliffe and prior to his untimely death some time ago he was making preparations for the event.

The organisation of this section has been taken over by two of Joe’s friends, Tim Fennessy and John Gleeson, who were to the fore in helping Joe each year to put this section of the show together and show the animals.

No doubt they will have everything in order just as Joe would have wanted it and do his memory proud.

The music on Sunday afternoon will be provided by country star Robert Mizzell who will be on stage from 2pm to 4pm performing all the favourite country songs.

There will be a traffic management plan in operation to ensure a smooth traffic flow and ready access to the event and there will be ample off road parking available for patrons adjacent to the showgrounds.

The organisers request everybody to co-operate with the Gardai and the stewards to ensure a safe and entertaining afternoon.