Ready for Royal Show 2023
Coinciding with the Royal Agricultural Society’s 172nd anniversary, the 2023 Royal Show opens its gates to the public from Friday, May 26 through to Sunday, June 4.
Being the last Royal Show in its current form and at Royal Showgrounds in Pietermaritzburg, every effort is being made to ensure a grand and memorable occasion.
Terry Strachan, chief executive officer of the Royal Agricultural Society (RAS), said the interest shown by exhibitors, as at the end of January, have seen stand sales exceed expectations, with external and internal sites being close to 100% and 60% booked respectively. In both instances, the mix of exhibits is varied, with a strong focus on ensuring quality displays.
"The Royal is deemed by many to be the premier agricultural show in the country, and 2023 promises not to disappoint," he added. "This will see two national livestock championships, being the Hampshire Down sheep breed, and for the first time, the Chianina cattle breed (an exceptionally large beef animal of Italian lineage).
"Affording a fun-filled learning experience, 2023 will again see the hosting of the KZN Youth Show catering for school going youngsters and students. This will take place during the course of the first weekend. Entry is open to all, and on the day, animals (cattle, sheep and goats) are loaned to participants.
"In similar vein, the KZN leg of the Toyota SA Young Auctioneer Competition will take place on Monday afternoon, 29 May. Aside from meaningful prizes, participants receive kudos and possibly career opportunities going forward.
"The Royal Show Carcass Competition – certainly the most prestigious event on the South African Red Meat calendar – will take place on Tuesday, May 30, and will be livestreamed to a national audience.
"The competitive Cattle and Sheep Sections will conclude their participation with the spectacular Gold Cup Cattle Parade in the main arena on Wednesday afternoon, May 31."
Other agriculturally related displays of public interest include the Sheep and Wool Expo (with weekend sheep shearing demonstrations), an informative exhibit by the Milk Producers Organisation, the Honey Hall and the ever-popular bird and rabbit sections.
Strachan said that, building on the success of 2022, the new and refreshing format of the Crafts Hall will continue with a focus on the fine arts of cake icing, quilting and floral displays.
The varied entertainment programme includes KZN’S largest funfair, the return of the zipline, camel rides, Public Eye Car Sound-off Show’, incorporating a ‘Dyno’ and ‘Show & Shine’ competition on Friday, May 26, dog agility championships on Saturday, May 27, sheepdog demonstrations on Sunday, May 28, and equestrian events from Monday, May 29 through to Friday, June 2. Music lovers can look forward to the East Coast Radio Royal Rock Concert, featuring Prime Circle, Jesse Clegg, Lee Cole, Shadowclub, The Ross Harding Band and Cantrel on Saturday afternoon, May 27, Public Eye Royal Symphony Concert on Sunday, May 28, the Hindvani FM Extravaganza on Saturday, June 3 and the RSG Concert on Sunday, June 4, featuring Juanita du Plessis, Bobby van Jaarsveld, Dirk van der Westhuizen, Pieter Smith and West.
Other attractions include the Coca-cola sky-diving display on Saturday, June 3, and the return of the ‘Monster Flight Night’ - a professional Moto-x display with pyrotechnics, on Saturday, June 3.