County show to be held over two days this year

ORGANISERS of Leicestershire County Show have announced that it will return as a extended event, to be held over two days during the bank holiday weekend of Saturday August 26 and Sunday August 27.

Last year’s relaunched show, which took place at the new 85-acre showground in Market Harborough, attracted around 12,000 visitors. Due to its popularity, the committee have decided to double the duration of the show to allow more visitors to attend.

There will also be additional categories in the competitions.

“The feedback we got from last year’s event was mainly very positive,” said David Young, Leicestershire County Show director. “However, we did appre- ciate the problems with delays in entering the ground at peak times. We took the decision to stage the event over two days this year to reduce or eliminate this problem.

“We have also decided to change the method of parking which will greatly assist speedier access. The change will enable more people to attend as well as offering people more choice in when they attend over the bank holiday weekend.”

This year’s agricultural categories include equine, heavy horse and livestock as well as several impressive tasks from local young farmers groups. There will also be an increase in the number of activities to entertain the crowds, including spectacular motocross freestyle stunt team, a classic car and tractor rally, tractor pulling, plus a traditional fun fair which includes dodgems and a ferris wheel. There will be a wide range of trade shows and more than 50 craft stands.

The Leicestershire Agricultural Society, which organises the County Show, was formed in 1833 by a group of Leicestershire farmers to promote improvements in agriculture. In the early days, Victoria Park in Leicester was used to host the event. In more recent years Melton Mowbray became the host town until Market Harborough took over in 2016 with its new custom-built site one mile outside the town centre.

For more details about the event, visit www.leicestershirecountyshow.co.uk.