Celebrate Manx farming and agriculture at this year’s Royal Manx Agricultural Show.
The two-day event, held at Knockaloe Farm in Patrick tomorrow and on Saturday (August 12 and 13), will feature a whole host of activities for the family to enjoy including marquees filled with stalls with arts and crafts, farm produce and fur and feather, the chance to view the island’s premier livestock and the opportunity to sample local and drink.
There will also be entertainment from Triskelion Pony Club, Ridgeside Falconry, Spike Milton’s British Champion Lumberjack Team, the Glebeview Clydesdales from Northern Ireland and plenty more.
At this year’s show there will be an added focus on the countryside since the Isle of Man was awarded UNESCO Biosphere status in March. Visitors will be able to learn more about the island’s UNESCO status at the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture’s tent.
Guests will also have the opportunity to try locally produced food and drink at the Manx Food Court where 17 different exhibitors will showcase their produce.
Christine Pain, organiser of the show, said: ‘The Royal Manx Agricultural Show president, Allan Craine, will be heading the team of volunteers to produce a wonderful two-day show which will, as usual, include the pick of the island’s premier livestock, show jumping and other light horse classes, heavyhorses and numerous dog shows ‘This year the light horse classes will also include a new ROR (Retraining of Racehorses) class.
‘The marquees will be bursting with arts and crafts, cookery, flowers, farm produce, countryside skills, fur and feather and floral arts. The ladies from the WI will be there to keep us on out toes, too. The vintage tractors and machinery always provide a stirring sight – and a glimpse back to childhood for many of us – and there will also be a gathering of classic cars and motorcycles to admire.’
Visitors to the show can bring their dogs as long as they are well-behaved and kept on a short lead.
The show is open from 9am to 5pm. Admission is £6 for adults and £1 for children (four to 14) on Friday and £8 for adults and £1 for children on Saturday. For more information go to www.royalmanx.com