County Show - a family affair
The gates will be opening on Saturday, 12th May for the spectacle that is the Ayr County Show.
This year being a special year for the show with it being their 175th Show in their 181st year with its winning formula of celebrating the traditional and embracing the future the Ayr County Show has earned its place as a ‘ must attend’ event on the calendars of both the farming community and families looking for a good value day out. The event includes exhibition and competition of many types of animals, Trade Stands, Crafts, Vintage Tractor Display, Sticks and Crooks, SWI Competitions, Young Farmers Competitions, Family Entertainment, Music, Children’s Marquee and Truck Ayr Lorry Show. Food and drink is very much part of the event creating the very important link Field to Fork. The Ayrshire Agricultural Association are committed to keeping this event going forward with a good range of attractions throughout the show field while not losing the true agricultural roots of Ayr County Show. Hundreds of animals of a wide variety of breeds will be judged throughout the morning. The Light Horse and Pony classes will start at 8, British Show Jumping classes at 8.45am and Clydesdale Horse classes at 10am. While the Cattle and Sheep classes start at 9.30am and Sticks & Crooks at 10am. Within the Clydesdale Horse Section; a Stud Cart Mare or Gelding driven by a lady or gentleman, will take place in the Main Ring at around 1pm. The individual Champion animals from each section meet in the main ring around midafternoon for the Champion of Champions to be judged and the winner be presented with the £ 1000 Prize sponsored by Rotherwood Furniture - this, along with the Grand Parade of Livestock, are sights to behold. The Goats section is not held at the Racecourse, this will be running a back to back show with the Ayrshire Goat Club on Saturday, May 12 and Sunday, May 13 at Craig Wilson Livestock Auction Mart. The Ayrshire Young Farmers District have organised a Tug’ O’ War competition once again for 2018. This will take place in the Main Ring at 9.30am. Young Farmers Handicrafts are set up in the Scottish Association of Young Farmers marquee with the Senior theme being Lights, Camera, Action and the Junior theme being 80 Years of SAYC. Also in the marquee exhibits for the Craftsmanship Competition where members will be submitting their handmade Kist’s in 2018. The Young Farmers Stock judging competition will take place at 1.30pm in the judging rings. Trade Stand exhibitors are major contributors to the show’s success; With over 100 trade stands each year ranging from agricultural dealerships, machinery, services and specialists, food, crafts, bespoke goods, clothing and gifts, equine and livestock products, there are just too many reasons to mention for you to attend our show. A new addition to the show this year will be a designated ‘ Children’s Marquee’ where we will have The Wearable Art Company Face Painters, Rainbow Twisters – Balloon Twisters and Glitter Tattoo’s, Daffy Dill Entertainment, Bunny Luv Mobile Petting Zoo, Ayr Beekeepers, Hannahston Alpacas, Craigievern Poultry Display and the great Royal Highland Educational Trust ( RHET) with a focus on all things woolly on their stand this year. We welcome back to the show in 2018 our Poultry Marquee which is a spectacle to see with between 300 and 400 birds. Ayr Show are excited to host The Pink Tractor run by local company John M Paterson who has chosen Breast Cancer care as their nominated charity donating 20 per cent of any earnings, taken from the Pink Tractor Hire. Finally this year in the main ring will be fantastic entertainment from James Dylan Stuntworld; a Motorcycle Stunt Show who perform ramp jumps, wheelies, stoppies and many more remarkable motorcycle stunts. Ayr County Show opens at 9am and closes at 5pm. Admission: Adults: £ 15 Children ( aged 14 and under accompanied by an adult): Free