The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Cattle and sheep entries up as town’s show time draws near
Aberfeldy: Good weather forecast raises hopes of record crowd
Almost twice as many cattle as last year are booked to compete at Saturday’s Aberfeldy Show at Wade’s Park, on the outskirts of the town.
Sheep entries are also well up on 2016 and include a record number for both the Blackface and cross sheep sections.
Preparations for the two-day event are well under way in the park just over the town’s Wade bridge and show chairman Roddy Thomson is optimistic of good weather and a big crowd.
“With bumper entries, a good forecast and entertainment to suit large and small, old and young, we’re all set to welcome what we hope will be another record crowd this weekend,” he said.
First up on the schedule will be the horse and pony classes on Friday. As well as the equine classes, there will be a bouncy castle, climbing wall, craft tent and a number of trade stands to browse.
After a quick change of the park layout, the main event on Saturday will see cattle, sheep and horse judging commence at 9am, followed by the Highland gathering, which this year will be officially opened by games chieftain, Keith Moncrieff.
As well as the boost to livestock entries, the trade stand sites around the main ring are fuller than ever and the craft tent – which celebrates its fourth year – will welcome nearly double the number of last year’s stalls and give visitors the chance to buy some of the best locally-crafted items.
The Highland dancing stage opens at 11am before the open competition kicks off at 1.30pm. Those competing in the Perthshire Highland Games Association League will take their talent to the main ring from the middle of the day and the solo piping competition starts at 1pm.
Other highlights include the Weem hill race and terrier racing, as well as tug o’ war and the carrying of the Menzies Stone, a test which separates the men from the boys.