County show’s all set to go
FUN IN STORE AT 140TH EVENT
THOUSANDS of people are expected to turn out for the best in traditional countryside pursuits and spectacular showground entertainment at this Sunday’s 140th Derbyshire County Show.
Dozens of volunteers have been busy transforming the 56-acre site at Elvaston Showground to accommodate more than 1,000 animals and 500 different breeds from bees to bulls.
Although the show is a true celebration of rural life, it is also a celebration of family life – with something for every member of the family.
And this year the show is more interactive than ever before, with visitors invited to enter a lemon drizzle cake contest to find out who is star baker, while children can enter a decorated or painted hardboiled egg competition.
In the main ring there will equestrian display teams, a gundog display, a parade of heavy horses as well as two death-defying performances from Stanage Stunt Team.
While performances from the Ukrainian Hoverla Dance Ensemble are likely to be a crowd-pleaser at this year’s show.
There will also be Shetland pony racing, giant tortoises and a performance from the lumberjack sports team the Welsh Axemen.
Children can take alpacas for a walk, enjoy fairground rides, enter their faithful friends in the companion dog show and even go on a donkey ride.
While foodies will enjoy sampling the wares of some of the best producers in the region with companies including Project D, the MilkShake Shack, Tori and Ben’s Farm and Yiannis Greek Restaurant attending.
There will also be craft and trade stalls, floral displays and homemade cakes and jams from the Women’s Institute as well as a superb selection of vintage cars, from the majestic Rolls-Royce to the humble Austin 7, a parade of tractors, lorries, steam engines, machinery and motorcycles from a bygone era, which have been lovingly restored by genuine enthusiasts.
The show’s chairman, Edward Hicklin, said: “Preparations are well under way and the forecast is looking good so we are hoping for a really successful show this year.
“We have so much on offer for all the family – even the family dog has been catered for. We’ve had plenty of enquiries about our baking contest and we’re looking forward to receiving lots of lemon cakes on the day.
“But most importantly, we hope that the people of Derbyshire and further afield turn out for us. We work incredibly hard to make the
show work – and we are all volunteers – so we look forward to greeting as many people as possible on Sunday.”
Tickets purchased in advance cost £10 for adults, while entrance for accompanied under-16s is free of charge. Tickets can be bought online by visiting the Derbyshire County Show website.