Society announces dates and plans for 2021 seasonal shows
Hope major events will go ahead despite ongoing pandemic
The South of England Agricultural Society is confident it will be able to host its four seasonal shows in 2021 despite ongoing coronavirus restrictions.
The society, which owns the South of England Showground in Ardingly, announceed the dates for the shows last week, the first of which set to be held in April.
A society spokesman said: “Having been pronounced ‘Good to Go’ by Visit England, the society successfully hosted the Autumn Show & Game Fair and Winter Fair in 2020, and although certain elements of the shows will vary to adhere to Covid-19 safety measures, they are confident that, new Government guidelines allowing, they can proceed with four shows in 2021.”
The first seasonal event will be Spring Live! – April 24-25 between 9am and 5pm.
The spokesman said: “Celebrate the arrival of spring and get out into the great British outdoors at the iconic South of England Showground.
“Spring Live! features live and interactive entertainment for all the family, hundreds of shopping stalls, and a food hall jam-packed with mouthwatering artisan treats from independent producers. “Younger visitors can enjoy animal meet and greets, take part in chocolate workshops, learn all about bees and honey, let loose at the funfair and much more. There’s something for the whole family to enjoy, including traditional countryside activities such as maypole dancing and axe throwing.” June 11-13 will see the showground host the South of England Show, between 9am and 6.30pm.
The spokesman said: “Offering every generation the chance to re-connect with the countryside and have a great day out, the South of England Show features a non-stop programme of agricultural and equestrian displays, live entertainment, rural crafts, and an abundance of food, drink and shopping opportunities.
“Children can meet hundreds of animals, take part in an array of interactive experiences and an activity trail and so much more. The 2021 show will also feature international level showjumping, heavy horse displays, livestock parades and lots more - a show set to wow visitors of all ages.”
The Autumn Show & Game Fair will take place on October 2 and 3, between 9am and 5pm.
The spokesman described the event as a ‘perfect autumnul day out for all ages’.
“The Autumn Show & Game Fair features a plethora of ‘have a go’ countryside sports, displays and activities, and mouth-watering food and drink stalls – all designed to celebrate the joys of agriculture, countryside pursuits and 2021’s harvest,” they added.
“Visitors can try their hand at clay pigeon shooting, fly fishing, air rifle shooting, archery, axe throwing and more, while dog lovers can be wowed by the skilled gundogs and exciting scurries where their dogs can have a go!
“Everyone will be wowed by high energy main ring acts, and children will love the popular pumpkin trail, farm animals, traditional funfair, pony rides, kite flying and mini steam train.”
The final seasonal event will be the Winter Fair.
This will be held on
November 20 (9am-5pm) and 21 (9am-4pm).
“At the Winter Fair, visitors can shop till they drop with an abundance of artisan produce and gifts as well as food and drink on offer from local and independent traders,” the spokesman said.
“It’s not just about the shopping though; families are sure to enjoy the giant snow globe that they can step inside to capture the perfect Christmascard-worthy
picture. There’s also a street food area with live music, funfair, and of course Santa’s grotto.”
Tickets for all events are available from seas.org.uk – see the website for more prices.