County’s big day out promises more than ever
17 April 2011, Press Releases
More, more, more…. That's the message from the organisers of this year's Lincolnshire Show, the County's big day out.
The two-day event is overflowing with attractions for the whole family and organisers promise that it will be even bigger and better than ever.
For at this 127th Show, there are more family attractions, more delicious foods from local producers, more schools taking part in the big Challenge and more sports to try out. There are also more new attractions – like Express Eventing and the Scruffts crossbreed pooch competition.
It's all taking place at the Lincolnshire Showground, Grange de Lings on Wednesday 22nd and Thursday 23rd June 2011.
Medieval jousting stunt team, the Knights of the Damned, return with a promise of more excitement when they perform on both days of the Show in the Isuzu Countryside Arena. Leader Justin Pearson is fresh back from performing stunts for blockbuster Pirates of the Caribbean IV and the troupe includes two local riders, Rob and James Pavey, both 21 and just qualifying as stuntmen.
This year's Sports Zone is doubled in size and in the run up to the 2012 Olympics, it will feature a chance to try out almost all the Olympic sports with appearances from Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls from the county. Features include the ECB cricket factory, Boston United's inflatable penalty shoot out; and an inflatable sports barn for wheelchair basketball. Lincoln Canoe Club will have virtual racing machines and other sports include table tennis, volleyball, badminton, hockey and a specially adapted set up for street athletics.
This year is a real first for dog lovers. For the first time dogs will be allowed to join in the fun at the Show as long as they are on a lead, and owners can also leave them with a special doggy-crèche being run by local animal charity, Jerry Green Dog Rescue. There's also a chance for dogs to compete – with the Kennel Club Scruffts Competition, sponsored by James Wellbeloved, taking place at Thursday's Show.
A major new attraction that will make it into the Clydesdale Bank Main Ring this year is the qualifying heat for Express Eventing, a mini version of top class equestrian eventing which promises a thrill a minute. The Express Eventing Series 2011 will see dressage, cross country and show jumping being completed in one arena.
The Select Lincolnshire and Tastes of Lincolnshire Food Court will feature a special Lincolnshire producer and supplier section this year, with a mouth-watering selection of local produce and some great homemade recipe demonstrations throughout each day from local food champion Rachel Green.
In the Exhibition Hall, more local schools than ever will be taking part in this year's Schools' Challenge, sponsored by Farmacy Plc and E Park and Sons, it aims to encourage young people to understand more about food, farming and agriculture.
In the Greenhouse, a range of companies will be explaining how to live a more sustainable lifestyle with technologies that include solar power, biomass, wind turbines, ground source heat pumps and rain water harvesting.
Throughout the Show, the Lincs FM stage will host the best acts who make it through the qualifiers of the radio station's You've Got Talent competition. And BBC Lincolnshire will be in a new home near the entrance to the Clydesdale Bank Main Ring, with on stage entertainment throughout the two days.
And for the shopper, there will be more than 600 stands to visit, including the boutique style shopping on The Mews avenue featuring everything from bespoke kitchens to handmade pearl bracelets.
Alongside all the new attractions will be the features that lie at the heart of the Show's traditional agricultural heritage, with events such as pig racing, showjumping, the spectacular Grand Parade of the best of the county's livestock sponsored by Saul Fairholm in the Clydesdale Bank Main Ring and the vintage to modern day agricultural machinery display sponsored by Spaldings and Woldmarsh.
Said Mark Farmer, chief executive of Lincolnshire Agricultural Society:
"This is the county's big day out and we're really thrilled with this year's line up. There's something for everyone who has a love of the countryside."
He added: "The Lincolnshire Show is an agricultural show, one of the few county shows to remain true to its agricultural heritage, a strength which has carried us forward. It's important to stimulate awareness of countryside matters, and the vital role that agriculture plays in the local economy."
The Show will be open from 8am to 6pm each day. Visit the Show's website for more information and to book your tickets www.lincs-events.co.uk or call the ticket hotline 0845 2305171
