SHOW RETURNS WITH A BANG!
Spectacular sunshine helped turn the Kent County Show into a sizzling success with an estimated 70,000 visitors.
It had been three years since the agricultural festival had last been at the Detling showground but crowds still flocked to share some country life down on the farm from Friday to Sunday.
Julian Barnes, the owner of Biddenden Vineyards, was at his first show as chairman of the Kent County Show Society although the new committee had staged a smaller version last year.
He said: “We had an absolutely cracking day following our 2021 summer fair where we learnt we should be putting agriculture back at the centre of the show. We also wanted to bring fruit-growing back as some had described it as being a bit cow and corn orientated.
“We wanted it to be more educational and interactive so visitors could experience where their food comes from.”
Show manager Nikki Dorkings said: “The feedback and ticket sales have been amazing. It seemed like everyone came out in force this year. And we were so lucky with the weather.”
She added: “We saw this as a stepping stone after Covid and hope to be back bigger and better next year.”
Although this was the 91st Kent County Show, organisers are planning to pull out all the stops when the society celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2023.
The show boasted a fairground, classic cars, vintage tractors, steam engines, buses, models, wood crafts, Tom Hogg’s pig agility trials and even a “unicorn” plus live bands, stalls and catering village.
It began in Maidstone and expanded to Detling. Organisers say this year had the “largest selection of young farmers in Europe” exhibiting animals and produce.